SRI AMAN: The Sarawak Government remains steadfast in ensuring the welfare of houses of worship across the state.

Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said through the Unit For Other Religions (UNIFOR), a significant amount of funds has been allocated for projects to support the houses of worship including development, maintenance, and repair works.

He emphasised that to date, a total of 778 projects amounting to RM100.4 million have been successfully completed, while another 623 projects are actively being implemented with allocations totalling RM148.9 million.

"These projects include new building works, maintenance and repair works, renovation works and or purchasing of fittings, equipment and religious instruments for the houses of worship,” he said.

He said this in his text of speech read by the Deputy Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian during the ‘Majlis Kesyukuran Agama-Agama Lain’ held in conjunction with the Sarawak Level Malaysia Day Celebration 2024 at the Sri Aman Civic Centre on Saturday.

The Sarawak Premier assured that this initiative will continue under the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Government as part of the efforts to develop Sarawak inclusively.

"With better deals from the Federal Government through the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), we will be able to develop Sarawak which is as vast as the whole of the Peninsular Malaysia, minus Perlis.

“What we asked from the Federal leaders is fair and it’s also based on our legal rights as stipulated in the constitution and MA63," he stressed.

Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari also outlined the GPS Government's commitment to continue advancing Sarawak’s progress so that Sarawakians will continue to prosper together with other Malaysians.

Meanwhile, the Sarawak Premier called on religious leaders to continue playing their crucial nation-building role in conveying the message of unity, peace and tolerance to their respective devotees to accommodate diversity and emphasise pluralism.
“Let us celebrate this auspicious occasion with hope and prayers for the wellbeing of our leaders so that they will continue to lead Sarawak and Malaysia to greater heights,” he added.

Also present were Sarawak Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn and his wife, Datin Sri Kelly Rebid, Sarawak Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, Sarawak Deputy State Secretary (Administration), Datu Buckland Bangik and his wife, Datin Daisy Dayus, Director of UNIFOR, Dato Georgina Apphia Ngau, and other distinguished guests. -UKASnews