SIBU: The state government will double the allocation for the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR) from this year’s RM50 million to RM100 million next year.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state is able to increase the allocation for UNIFOR following the growth in revenue it received this year.
“By next week, I will present the State Budget in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting. I cannot tell you the exact figure yet because I need to report to the DUN first. But, I can tell you that the figure is roughly around double-digit billion ringgit. So, with this, we share (the revenue).
“You (UNIFOR) have requested an increase in allocation, then we increase it. I want to increase it to RM100 million for the unit for 2023,” he said during the UNIFOR’s appreciation ceremony at a hotel here today (Nov 14).
He added besides UNIFOR which assists non-Islamic houses of worship and mission schools, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) state constituencies are also being allocated with funding under their Rural Transformation Projects (RTP) fund to assist the respective religious bodies.
“And God gave me the idea on how to get more money for Sarawak where there is an urge in me to read and gain more knowledge on how to increase the state’s revenue.
“This is our principle. Once you do good, God will reward you. So in Sarawak, we must maintain this inclusiveness,” he said.
Besides that, he said Sarawak will also be tabling a new law to set up the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) in the upcoming DUN sitting.
“When we have the income, we must also save it. So, in 20 years’ time, there will be returns from the SWF.
“With this, my prayer is that we can provide free tertiary education to Sarawakian students who want to further their studies in the state-owned universities,” he said.
At the same time, Abang Johari said there is a need to protect Sarawak’s unique culture where its people of different races and religions could live in peace and harmony.
“From 2017 to 2020, there was an increase in revenue. We give some of it to UNIFOR and we have provided allocation for the construction of the UNIFOR Complex.
“If it is in West Malaysia, they don’t have it. Only Sarawak has UNIFOR, and this is our uniqueness in terms of the relationship and bond between the different religions in Malaysia,” he said.
In 2017, the Sarawak government under the Special Development Assistance Fund (SDAF) allocated RM15 million to UNIFOR, the allocation was then increased to RM20 million in 2018, RM30 million in 2019, and RM50 million in 2020, 2021, and 2022 respectively.
On top of that, RM15 million was allocated to mission schools in 2021 and 2022, while RM5 million was allocated in 2021 and 2022 respectively under the COVID-19 Operational Assistance to support non-Islamic houses of worship during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said that the setting up of UNIFOR is a reflection of Abang Johari’s policy who is a leader for all races and religions in Sarawak.
“This is a very clear manifestation that we have a leader that cares for all, a leader who is responsive to the needs and requests of the people.
“So, I hope everyone can spread the news that the GPS government is helping everyone and that is the government that we should give all the support so that unity and happiness will remain in Sarawak,” said Uggah, who is also the minister-in-charge of UNIFOR.
