Need for initiative in fundraising to build places of worship

MIRI: Parties concerned must have initiative in raising funds for the construction of places of worship, including churches or chapels.

Tourism Assistant Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin said they should not depend entirely on the government for such assistance.

“With concerted effort, nothing is impossible so find a way or get an allocation,” he advised when officiating at a Christmas Bazaar in Tudan here yesterday.

The bazaar was organised by St Anthony Padua in Tudan to raise funds for the construction of a bigger church as the chapel was getting too small for the population.

The chapel’s chairman Hendrick Rosli and committee members were also present at the opening ceremony.

According to Lee, the almost RM2 million church was expected to be ready by next year. He donated RM600,000 two months ago to support the fundraising.

“I hope everybody work together to solicit for money for top-up; we have to cooperate to meet our objective,” he said.

The new church would be able to accommodate up to 2,000 Christians for mass at any one time.

Hendrick meanwhile said a bigger church was needed as the number of Christians in Tudan was increasing.

“There are some 600 to 700 Christians coming for service on normal days, but the number increased to 2,000 on Christmas eve and Christmas Day,” he disclosed.

And due to the limited space, many of them end up standing or sitting outside the chapel, Hendrick said.

He thanked Lee who is also Senadin assemblyman for his concern and assistance for St Anthony Padua which was built 20 years ago.