KUCHING: The Unit For Other Religions (UNIFOR) has formed an Advisory Council led by Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development (MIPD) Sarawak, in a media statement said, members include religious and spiritual leaders of 16 non-Islamic faiths across the state.
Uggah, who is the UNIFOR chairman, chaired a meeting yesterday (Dec 7) that the idea to set up the Council had been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and UNIFOR leadership change.
“We really need this forum. We need it to resolve whatever issues particularly the religious ones that may crop up from time to time. We are after all living in a borderless world with all these technological advancements.
“There are also the political developments around us and in the world which creates a lot of problems. These are all very challenging for us. We do not want problems, especially on religions originating from outside the state to come ashore to create confusion, anger, disharmony or disunity among our people.
“With this Council, we now have a forum to discuss, deliberate, and reach a consensus for an amicable solution when we face any such issues,” he said.
He said if they were debated in public, they could become very divisive and then very difficult to handle, adding that the existing religious and racial harmony in the state must be preserved at all costs for the benefits of all.
Uggah stressed that Sarawak is still the most peaceful and united state in the nation where races and religions are concerned.
Additionally, he said members of the Council too could help UNIFOR to check on the implementation status of approved projects on the ground.
“Whatever grants are allocated for construction, repairs or renovations, they must be used at once.
“I have observed some recipients are not doing this. UNIFOR’s policy is we will not entertain any new request unless the given allocations are spent.
“We need your support although at the moment we do not encounter much problem,” he added.
On the RM80 million UNIFOR complex that is now under construction, Uggah said it is now 70 per cent completed.
He said upon completion next year, every religious body registered with UNIFOR could use it to organise activities and programmes to further strengthen racial and religious unity and harmony.
Meanwhile, UNIFOR director Datuk Jack Aman said the Council’s tasks are to promote mutual respect and acceptance among all religions and to provide wise counsel on issues that arise.
“The Council will advise UNIFOR how to respond to religious issues of any kind that affect peace and harmony of various races and religions in Sarawak.
“It will mediate when such issues arise,” he said.
He also added that the Advisory Council would act as a ‘resource’ for UNIFOR in providing information, recommendations, and proposals from the spiritual perspective of the respective religions for strategic planning and policies on matters and issues pertaining to religious harmony.
Jack said it would also ensure transparency and accountability from the respective religious bodies or organisations for the funds received from UNIFOR.
“Newer roles will be included when UNIFOR expands,” he said.
