RM15 mln approved for houses of worship
KUCHING: A total RM15 million has been approved by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg this year for the construction, upgrading and repairs of houses of worships of other religions in the state.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah handed over the allocation to 23 Barisan Nasional assembly-persons at the State Legislative Assembly here yesterday. These assembly-persons will then distribute the funds to houses of worships in their respective constituencies.
Uggah, who is also minister-incharge of the Unit for Other Religions ( Unifor), said the presentation of funds to other religions showed the strong racial and religious harmony in Sarawak.
“This is how we work. Now, we are assessing the application of funds.
“I must record our appreciation to the chief minister for approving the RM15 million allocation, which we will distribute to churches, temples and other houses of worship.
“We are also processing applications of site for the construction of churches and temples,” he told reporters after the presentation of the funds.
On behalf of Unifor, Uggah also thanked the state government for allocating three acres of state land for Unifor’s office complex, which would be sited at a ‘good part of Kuching’.
He said all these reflected the policy of Abang Johari as the chief minister for all, and an inclusive leader looking after the interests of each and everyone irrespective of race and religion.
“In Sarawak, we have racial and religious harmony and this type of programme will further enhance and strengthen the unity and harmony of various races and religions in Sarawak.
“Unity and religious harmony is a very important factor to ensure we can continue to develop especially in this era of digital economy,” he said.
Uggah said Sarawakians must remain united to ensure plans to develop the digital economy would be successful.
Minister of Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, and Minister of Utilities Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi were among those present at the presentation ceremony.
On another matter, Uggah, who is also Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development, refused to reveal whether he would touch on amendments to the state Land Code in his ministerial windingup speech today.
“Just wait for my windingup speech tomorrow (today),” he said when asked if he was going to talk on solutions on land issues following a rally on Native Customary Rights ( NCR) land organised by Sarawak Dayak Iban Association ( Sadia) on Monday.
This is how we work. Now, we are assessing the application of funds. I must record our appreciation to the chief minister for approving the RM15 million-allocation, which we will distribute to churches, temples and other houses of worship. Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, Deputy Chief Minister