KUCHING: The state government is committed to ensuring that the environment in Sarawak is harmonious and peaceful for all religious.
In speaking about this, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said only Sarawakians could really understand the multi-cultural nature of Sarawak and its people.
“I will defend this particular aspect of Sarawak. This approach will ensure that Sarawak can progress. With peace, we can contribute for the benefit of mankind,” he said during a visit to Anglican Bishop of Sarawak and Brunei at St Thomas’ Church, Jalan McDougall, on Tuesday.
He said Sarawkians were fortunate to be able to enjoy the harmonious environment since the olden days despite their different races and religions.
Johari also stressed that he would continue to support Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, who is in-charge of the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor), to provide assistance to non-Muslims.
“The late Pehin Sri Datuk Patinggi Adenan Satem started this inter-faith understanding and I continue it with the formation of Unifor,” he said, adding that a piece of land had been approved for the construction of a Unifor building.
“To the Hindus, I have given them assistance to upgrade their temple and also to the Sikhs for extending their land as it is quite congested for them,” he said.
Johari also called for all Sarawakians to continue to promote inter-faith understanding and work towards the benefit of the state and mankind.
Later on, Johari also visited the Roman Catholic Archbishop’s Christmas Open House at Archdiocesan Curia and Cathedral Pastoral Centre (ACCPC), Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg.
During the visit, Johari praised the role played by the Roman Catholics in contributing to the development of education and welfare of the community in the state.
He also hoped that such fundamentals would be preserved to ensure that they would become the support for the state in achieving a developed state status by 2030.
Also present during the visit were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, Welfare, Community Well-Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah and Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
