Sarawak’s unity, harmony a result of Premier’s inclusive policy – Uggah
KUCHING: The inclusive policy of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has allowed Sarawak to be even more united and harmonious despite its great diversity, said Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah.
The Deputy Premier said Abang Johari has recognised, supported and celebrated the fact that Sarawak is a multiracial and multi-religious society, and has been a very strong supporter of the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) since its inception in 2017.
“He has, without fail, contributed generously to Unifor’s operating budget. Last year, he had given RM100 million and this year he has raised it to RM110 million,”
“In addition, he has approved a sum of RM20 million this year to help mission schools state-wide. From 2021 until last year, Unifor had spent RM50 million to help 127 such schools in their physical development and maintenance,” said Uggah.
He was speaking at a dinner hosted by Unifor here Monday for members of the international advisors to the United Society Partners in the Gospel (USPG), led by secretary-general Rev Dr Duncan Dormor.
Bishop of the Anglican Church in Sarawak and Brunei Rt Revd Datuk Danald Jute, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, and Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil were among those present.
Uggah, who is Unifor ministerin-charge, also informed that Unifor had spent more than RM333.12 million on the construction of new churches, chapels temples from 2017 to 2022.
Meanwhile, Rev Dormor in his speech said he was impressed by Unifor and its work.
“It seems a model for promoting good inter-religious harmony. In the United Kingdom in particular, we have many Anglican schools where the majority of the students are Muslims, and the local Muslim communities deeply value the Anglican schools where their children go.
“So it is lovely to see this in different parts of the world. I think when this happens across countries, when it happens transnationally, it builds hope of a generous, open hearted world,” he said.
The USPG is an Anglican missionary body based in the United Kingdom which supported the coming of Gospel and mission schools in Borneo more than 170 years ago.