Unifor hands over RM4.78 million to 35 religious bodies
KUCHING: The Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) under the Chief Minister’s Office has distributed grants totalling RM4.78 million to 35 non-Islamic religious organisations statewide.
Minister-in-charge of Unifor, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, who is also Deputy Chief Minister, handed over the cheques to the respective state elected representatives or their aides yesterday.
The Sarawak government had set aside RM50 million for Unifor this year, he said in a statement issued after the presentation of cheques, the second of its kind held thus far.
Last week, he handed out similar grants totalling RM8.5 million to a church, two chapels and a temple. The fund is meant to help churches, chapels and temples carry out repairs and upgrading works.
Uggah said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had allocated an additional grant worth RM5 million to help in their maintenance.
Among those receiving the cheques yesterday were Minister of Local Government and Housing Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Datuk Roland Sagah Assistant Minister of Transport Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, Tanjong Datu assemblywoman Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu,
Tasik Biru assemlyman Datuk Henry Harry Jinep, Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang, Serembu assemblyman Miro Simuh and Kedup assemblyman Martin Ben.
Assistant Minister of International Trade and Industry, Industrial Terminal and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Malcom Mussem Lamoh, Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Islamic Affairs and Kuching North City Commission) and Assistant Minister of Utilities (Water Supply) Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi both sent their representatives.
Unifor director Richard Lon was among those present.