BINTULU: The Sarawak Government reaffirmed its commitment to respecting and celebrating religious and cultural diversity through the establishment of the Unit For Other Religions (UNIFOR).
 
Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said UNIFOR, established in 2017, has become an important institution in strengthening the state’s inclusivity policy by channelling financial assistance to houses of worship of other religions.
 
“As of today, a total of RM475 million has been allocated by the Sarawak Government through UNIFOR to houses of worship across the state.
 
“In addition, since 2021, RM90 million has been specially allocated for mission schools, bringing total funding under UNIFOR to RM565 million,” he said.
 
He said this in his text-of-speech read by Sarawak Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas during the Interfaith Thanksgiving Ceremony in conjunction with the 2025 Sarawak-Level Malaysia Day celebration at a hotel here, on Sunday.
 
The Sarawak Premier added that the state’s development and progress can be achieved more effectively through the participation, cooperation, and strong support of all citizens including religious leaders.
 
Accordingly, he urged Sarawakians to reject any form of extremism and fanaticism that could disrupt the harmony and peace that the state has long enjoyed.
 
“We must remember that all citizens are equal here under laws founded upon the Federal Constitution.
 
“With strong unity and the well-being of the people, I am confident Sarawak will continue to advance and prosper,” he said.
 
Also present were Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, Sarawak Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development who is also the Minister-In-Charge of the 2025 Sarawak-Level Malaysia Day celebration, Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department, Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai, Deputy Ministers, UNIFOR Director, Dato Georgina Apphia Ngau, heads of departments, representatives of religious leaders, and other distinguished guests.
 
The ceremony began with a prayer by Bishop Richard Ng, followed by six other religious leaders namely Tehereh Bidanjiri (Baha’i), Aden Lee (Buddhist), Dr Balachandran Annamalai (Hindu), Pastor Tujok Laing (Christian), Gurdial Singh Pretum Singh (Sikh), and Jong Yii Wee (Taoist). -UKASnews