SIBU: Plans are afoot for the construction of a project estimated to cost about RM500,000 comprising an office (headquarters), a multipurpose hall and a church for the Sibu District Council Borneo Evangelical Mission (BEM)/SIB at KM25 Sibu/Salim Road near Sibujaya new township here.
Speaking at a fund-raising dinner for the project here on Friday night, Member of Parliament for Julau, Datuk Joseph Salang said the project was worthy of the support of everyone.
“We are helping to build a house of God. We are also helping to build a centre where our youths can take part in useful activities where they can learn and acquire positive values in the nation building process,” Salang pointed out.
Also present at the function were Members of Parliament for Lanang and Sibu, Oscar Ling and Alice Lau, respectively and Bukit Assek Assemblywoman, Irene Chang and Vice-President of BEM Sarawak, Senior Pastor Bina Agung.
More than 5,000 BEM members and members of other Christian denominations were also present.
Besides, Salang who is also chairman of the 1Malaysia Sarawak Advisory Council said he would try to seek funds from the council for the project.
Commenting on the presence of DAP politicians at the event, Salang pointed out that it was because religion is above politics.
“We may be talking and arguing issues in our respective political divide but we are one and united in Christ to help with this very meaningful project,” he stressed and added that Belaga Assemblyman, Liwan Lagang had pledged to donate RM10,000 to the project while Murum Assemblyman Kennedy Chuk Pai pledged RM5,000.
In his speech earlier, Bina Agung thanked longhouse chief Simon Ason for having graciously donated a piece of land for the project.
He said the big sacrifice by Simon indicated that he was a good leader who had the interest of the people close to his heart.
Simon when met later said the church alone would be big enough to accommodate about 3,000 people at any one time.
