FRIENDLY HOUSES OF WORSHIP (FRIENDLY HOW) PROGRAMME NO. 2/2026 STAMPIN, KOTA SENTOSA, BATU KITANG & BATU KAWA

20 August 2026, (Thursday)
7.00 pm
Hoi Tin Lau Restaurant, Aeroville Mall, Kuching

The Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR) continued its grassroots engagement through the second series of the Friendly Houses of Worship (FRIENDLY HOW) Programme, bringing together representatives of houses of worship and religious communities from Stampin, Kota Sentosa, Batu Kitang and Batu Kawa.

The evening was graced by YB Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Deputy Premier of Sarawak, Second Minister for Finance and New Economy, Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development and Minister-in-Charge of UNIFOR, together with his wife, YBhg. Datin Amar Dato Doreen Mayang.

Also present were YB Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian, Deputy Premier of Sarawak and Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, accompanied by his wife, YBhg. Datin Amar Dato Enn Ong Siok Ean, as well as state dignitaries, Heads of Other Religions and representatives of various houses of worship.

Following the first FRIENDLY HOW programme involving Padungan, Pending and Batu Lintang, this second series continues UNIFOR’s effort to go directly to the grassroots to meet our religious communities, listen to them and strengthen relationships.

While UNIFOR is widely known for administering the Sarawak Government’s financial assistance to houses of worship of other religions and mission schools, another important role of UNIFOR is to promote unity and harmony among Sarawak’s diverse religious communities.

FRIENDLY HOW provides a simple and accessible platform for this bringing UNIFOR closer to the communities we serve and creating opportunities for open communication, better understanding and stronger relationships.

Representatives from the Christian, Buddhist, Taoist, Hindu, Sikh and Bahá’í communities came together for the evening, reflecting the religious diversity that is very much part of Sarawak.

Our peace and harmony did not happen by accident. It has been built and sustained over generations through mutual respect, understanding and the willingness to live together despite our differences.

Through FRIENDLY HOW, UNIFOR hopes to continue nurturing these relationships one community, one conversation and one engagement at a time.

Because when we understand one another better, we strengthen Sarawak together.

#FRIENDLYHOW
#UNIFOR
#UniFoR4ALL
#TOUCH_BaSe
#Uni4Presence
#AmazingTeamEveryoneMatters

FRIENDLY HOUSES OF WORSHIP (FRIENDLY HOW) PROGRAMME (PADUNGAN, PENDING & BATU LINTANG) NO.1 FOR 2026

16 August 2026, (Sunday)
12.00 noon
Theatre Hotel, Kuching

The Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR) organised the Friendly Houses of Worship (FRIENDLY HOW) Programme today, bringing together representatives of Houses of Worship and religious communities from Padungan, Pending and Batu Lintang.

The programme was attended by YB Datuk Amar Professor Dr. Sim Kui Hian, Deputy Premier of Sarawak and Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, as Guest of Honour, together with YBhg. Dato Wee Hong Seng, Mayor of Kuching South (MBKS).

UNIFOR is widely known for facilitating Sarawak Government assistance to Houses of Worship of other religions. However, there is another equally important part of UNIFOR’s role promoting unity and harmony among Sarawak’s diverse religious communities.

FRIENDLY HOW is part of this effort.

It brings UNIFOR closer to the people on the ground to meet, listen and build relationships with our Houses of Worship and religious communities. Not every engagement needs to begin with an issue or an application for assistance. Sometimes, it is simply important to know one another and keep the lines of communication open.

Building these relationships matters. When people already know and understand one another, it is easier to sit together and talk when issues do arise.

Representatives from the Christian, Buddhist, Taoist, Hindu, Sikh and Bahá’í communities participated in today’s programme, reflecting the diversity that is very much part of Sarawak.

As shared during the programme:

“Cubit paha kiri, paha kanan terasa;
cubit paha kanan, paha kiri terasa.”

What affects one, affects us all.

The peace and harmony that Sarawak enjoys today did not happen by accident. It has been built over generations through mutual respect, understanding and the willingness to live alongside one another.

UNIFOR’s responsibility is to continue strengthening that foundation not only through assistance to Houses of Worship, but also through engagement, understanding and relationships across our religious communities.

That is the purpose of FRIENDLY HOW.

#FRIENDLYHOW
#UNIFOR
#UniFoR4ALL
#TOUCH_BaSe
#Uni4Presence

ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION ON MULTI-FAITH PARTNERSHIP IN PRAXIS FOR HUMAN DIGNITY AND FLOURISHING

4 August 2026 (Tuesday)
9.00 a.m.
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

YBhg. Dato Georgina Apphia Ngau, Director of the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR), attended the Roundtable Discussion on Multi-Faith Partnership in Praxis for Human Dignity and Flourishing in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

The programme was officiated by YB Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, Minister of National Unity, and brought together representatives from various faith communities, government agencies, academic institutions, and civil society organisations to discuss the importance of strengthening interfaith cooperation, mutual understanding, and collaborative efforts in building peaceful and resilient communities.

The programme commenced with the East-West Multi-Faith Partnership for Human Dignity Forum, followed by two roundtable discussions focusing on “A Multi-Faith Vision of Human Dignity & Flourishing for the Future” and “Co-Creating a Flourishing Society in the 21st Century Ideas & Actions.” The discussions explored practical approaches to strengthening partnerships across faiths and sectors, promoting social cohesion, and advancing initiatives that uphold human dignity, mutual respect, and community well-being.

Throughout the programme, participants engaged in constructive dialogue and exchanged perspectives on contemporary issues, reaffirming the importance of trust, cooperation, and shared responsibility in fostering a more inclusive and harmonious society.

YBhg. Dato Georgina Apphia Ngau’s participation reflects UNIFOR’s continued commitment to engaging in meaningful interfaith dialogue and building partnerships beyond Sarawak. Such engagements strengthen networks, encourage the exchange of perspectives, and deepen mutual understanding among communities.

#UNIFOR
#UniFoR4ALL
#TOUCH_Base
#UniForPresence

ENGAGEMENT SESSION WITH THE CHRISTIAN FEDERATION OF MALAYSIA (CFM) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Strengthening Bonds, Building Together 

29 July 2026, (Wednesday)
9.30 am – 2.00 pm
UNIFOR Complex, Kuching

YBhg. Dato Georgina Apphia Ngau, Director of the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR), had the honour of hosting an Engagement Session with the Executive Committee Members of the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) during their official visit to Kuching.

The engagement provided a meaningful platform to strengthen the longstanding relationship between UNIFOR and CFM through constructive dialogue, the exchange of views, and discussions on matters of mutual interest relating to religious harmony, mutual respect, and community well-being.

The delegation was also given a guided tour of the UNIFOR Complex, where they were introduced to the role and functions of UNIFOR in supporting Houses of Worship of Other Religions and Mission Schools throughout Sarawak. The visit provided an opportunity to share Sarawak’s unique model of interfaith cooperation, which continues to foster peace, understanding, and unity among people of different faiths.

UNIFOR was privileged to welcome the distinguished delegation representing CFM’s three constituent bodies—the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia (CBCM), the Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM), and the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF), led by:

Rev. Dr. Eu Hong Seng – Chairman
Most Reverend Archbishop Julian Leow Beng Kim – Vice Chairman
The Right Reverend Bishop Datuk Danald Jute – Vice Chairman
Ms. Rita Sabrina Wong – Honorary Secretary
Dr. Khoo Kay Hup – Assistant Honorary Secretary
Most Reverend Archbishop Dato Dr. Simon Poh – Assistant Honorary Treasurer
Rev. Andy Chi Cheng Khee – Executive Secretary
Canon Andrew Khoo Chin Hock – EXCO Member
Rev. Philip Lok Oi Peng – EXCO Member
Rev. Foo Moy Peng – EXCO Member
Fr. Xavier Andrew – EXCO Member
Fr. Dominic Tan – EXCO Member

The engagement concluded with a fellowship lunch at Hilton Kuching, further strengthening the warm friendship and spirit of collaboration between UNIFOR and the Christian community in Malaysia.

Together, we remain committed to building bridges of understanding, promoting mutual respect, and preserving the harmony that makes Sarawak a model of unity in diversity.

#UNIFOR
#UniFoR4ALL
#TOUCH_BaSe
#Uni4Presence
#SarawakHarmony
#UnityInDiversity
#ChristianFederationOfMalaysia
#Sarawak