BN government allows freedom of religion, says Wong
SIBU: The Barisan Nasional ( BN) government has always acknowledged freedom of religion as an important factor in ensuring unity among different races in this state.
Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, who stated this, said the state is very unique as the people respect one another regardless of race.
“This is the uniqueness of Sarawak where we practise our religion without any fear,” he said at the Fundraising Dinner of Sungai Aup, Engkalat and Pasir Mass Iban Methodist Church on Sunday at Good Happiness Restaurant.
According to Wong, Christians in Sarawak are free to worship in their respective churches, and they show respect when visiting other religious buildings.
Wong, who is Bawang Assan assemblyman, hoped that this trait could strengthen the people as one community regardless of their ethnicity.
“As Sarawakians, we must respect and love one another. This is how our state can develop and prosper,” he said.
On pol it ics, he urged the people especially the voters in Sibu and Lanang parliamentary constituencies to continue to support BN during the coming 14th general election.
“We must wrest the seats for more development for everyone. It has been a loss for most of us since four or five years or so ago, as nothing has been implemented by the MPs from the opposition party.
“I hope all of us will continue to work with BN; whoever the candidates are, let us all support them to ensure cont inuous development in this state,” he said.
Wong, who is also United People’s Party ( UPP) president, announced a grant of RM20,000 for the Sungai Aup, Engkalat, Pasir Masir Iban Methodist Church.
The organising chairperson Roselind Linjonig in her speech said about RM50,000 was needed to upgrade the church which is about 10 years old.
The upg rading inc ludes replacing the roof and ceilings, repainting the church, replacing the electrical wiring system, and installation of gate and lights outside the church.
“If we have more allocation, we also want to extend our church because our church members are increasing,” she said, adding that the church has about 500 members.
Also present at the event were Temenggong Stanley Geramong, Pemanca Jamese Semilan, president of Sarawak Iban Annual Conference Reverend Steward Damat, the church pastor Bujang Enggik, chairman of UPP Bawang Assan Bumiputra Unit Andrew Shilling and others.