MUKAH: Six non-Muslim organisations received financial aid from the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) of the Chief Minister’s Department totalling RM500,000 last Thursday.
Amongst the recipients included the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church of Sungai Sebetong in Balingian, which will use the fund to install power supply to its premises.
For St Mary’s Chapel, Balingian, this aid will be utilised to construct a new building, while the Tua Pek Kong Temple, Balingian is now capable to do repairs on its building.
The Catholic Chapel, Kampung Sau in Mukah will make use of the financial assistance to construct a new building, while St Thoma’s Chapel, Kampung Teh, Mukah will use the contribution to construct a hall.
Sacred Heart Chapel, Kampung Jebungan and Kampung Tegak, Mukah will utilise the fund to build a new fence.
The recipients thanked Unifor for this year’s financial assistance.
Balingian assemblyman Abdul Yakub Arbi hoped that the planning and management of the budget by the recipients would be properly handled and coordinated.
According to him, the idea to set up Unifor was mooted by the late Tok Nan (former Chief Minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem), and the initiative was continued by current Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“Unifor is a platform to be used in applying for fund or land for the construction of new buildings, or to repair buildings, or to assist in implementing certain religious activities,” he said at the handing over ceremony at Balingian State Constituency Service Centre.
He added Unifor was established on May 26, 2017, a new unit at the chief minister’s department under deputy chief minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who is responsible in coordinating the policy to promote harmony among religions; and assess, propose and formulate policy, laws, and regulations related to religious affairs of non-Muslims.
