KUCHING: A total of RM3.189 million in financial assistances were distributed to 14 non-Islamic religious organisations throughout the state.
The cheques were presented by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas who is also minister-in-charge of the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) to the elected representatives of the concerned state constituencies.
Among the recipients during the ceremony at his office here on Friday (Oct 8) were Deputy State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Datuk Gerawat Gala (Mulu), Agriculture Assistant Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail (Bukit Kota) and Women, Family and Childhood Development Assistant Minister Datuk Rosey Yunus (Bekenu).
At the same time, Law, State-Federal Relations and Project Monitoring Assistant Minister Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali (Samariang) and Local Government Assistant Minister Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil (Marudi) also received the cheques.
Joining them were Tupong assemblyman Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman and Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang.
This year, the state government has allocated a budget of RM50 million to Unifor. It was to finance the construction of non-Islamic religious houses state-wide.
Besides that, it is also to fund the renovation and upgrade expenses for infrastructure development purposes of churches, chapels and temples.