KUCHING: The Sarawak government has approved an allocation of RM8.5 million for the construction of a new Christian columbarium, a special space for holding urns.
The project to be built here is under the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR).
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg agreed to the St Thomas Cathedral’s plan to build the new columbarium when attending the cathedral’s Christmas open house held at its parish hall today (Dec 26).
“On your proposed columbarium, it’s okay, you can get the fund from Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas,” he said.
Meanwhile, Uggah who is also the Minister-in-charge of UNIFOR, told reporters that apart from the columbarium project, the Premier had also approved a sum of RM3 million to purchase furniture for the cathedral’s House of Epiphany.
“The columbarium costs RM8.5 million and has been approved. So, UNIFOR will proceed with the necessary thing,” he said.
Later, Anglican Bishop of Kuching Right Reverend Datuk Danald Jute when met, had conveyed his appreciation to the Premier for approving the columbarium project which has been planned for quite some time.
“Being mindful of the needs of Kuching as a big city, the land is scarce, and we have also received a request for such a facility.
“Therefore, as the highest decision-making body of the church, we sought advice and we reached a decision last year and worked on the columbarium project and submitted it to the State Planning Authority (SPA) for approval and it has been approved,” he said, adding that the only Christian columbarium available is the Roman Catholic columbarium located at St Peter’s Church.
Danald also said he had earlier met the Premier on Sept 28 to brief him on the project and the Premier was positive about it.
“In the years to come, that really is the way forward rather than the traditional burial. For instance, because people are more mobile, people leave their families, especially their aged parents, and move overseas, and they will not have the opportunity to visit the graveyard.
“So, with the columbarium, they know that the remains of their loved ones will be taken care of without any need of frequent visits,” he said.
Commenting further on the columbarium project, he said it will be built in between St Thomas’ Secondary School and the Sarawak Museum and the facility will have about 14,000 niches for the urns to be placed.
“We are expecting to award the project through open tender by April next year, and the physical construction should commence before the year-end of next year,” he said, while adding that it may take up to nearly two years to complete.
Asked whether the columbarium will cater to Anglicans only, Danald said it is not restricted to Anglicans.
“We want to be a community that serves the entire community. So if there’s a request from non-Anglicans, we’ll certainly welcome them,” he said.
At the same time, he also thanked the Premier for approving the construction of a kindergarten and youth centre which will be constructed near St Thomas’ school.
“Our estimate is RM26 million for all three projects (kindergarten, youth centre and columbarium), but it will be staggered.
