KUCHING: A committee under the chairmanship of Assistant Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil has been formed to come up with a plan for the Unit For Other Religions’ (Unifor) headquarters.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said they would meet some time after the coming Chinese New Year celebration for further discussions.
“We hope to launch the construction soon,” he said during a dinner to appreciate the contributions of Unifor’s retiring first director Datuk Dr Ngenang Janggu here on Wednesday (January 22).
He encouraged non-Islamic groups, whenever there are controversies, issues, or fears, to bring them up to Unifor.
“It will not adopt confrontation in solving problems and issues arising but will bring them to the table to be discussed and solved for the benefits of everyone,” he assured.
He said that Unifor was now a role model for preserving religious and racial harmony and unity in the nation and state.
Uggah added that the unit had moved beyond its name and was now a recognised and much appreciated and supported platform in this direction.
“The state government’s financial allocation of RM15 million in 2017, RM20 million in 2018, RM30 million last year, and RM50 million this year speaks volume of its appreciation and support.
“Going further, it has allocated a three-acre site at Ong Tiang Swee Road here for its headquarter building,” he said.
In addition to these grants, he said the Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had given direct grants to assist as well.
“In fact, in the last three years, definitely more than RM60 million worth of assistance to more than 500 projects had been given to many of our non-Islamic religious groups,” he said.
He said that when Unifor was first mooted by the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem in 2017, it had been a challenge to shape its direction. “There was no role model to follow anywhere in the country as Unifor is only available in Sarawak.”
According to Uggah, some sceptics had said it would remain just a name to please non-Islamic groups and would not progress beyond that.
“But here it is today — an effective platform where the non-Islamic groups can air their views, fears and worries or concerns with a view to finding amicable solutions,” he said.
He added that if before there were non-Islamic houses of worship without roofs or walls, or were in bad condition, these were presently things of the past in Sarawak.
Meanwhile, he paid tribute to the contributions of Ngenang, commending him for rising to the occasion despite the management of the unit not being an easy task.
He said one of Ngenang’s contributions was the setting up of a charitable trust in Unifor to help finance the social and welfare activities of non-Islamic groups.
“I will seek funds from the state government to assist,” said Uggah.
“Please give the same strong support to Richard Lon, who is the new director,” he urged.
Also present were Assistant Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn; State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion; Deputy State Secretary Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik, and heads of 16 non-Islamic religious groups.
