Archbishop Simon Poh of the Roman Catholic Church presenting appreciation gift to Ngenang (centre), witnessed by Uggah (second right) and Richard (left). Also seen is Association of Churches Sarawak secretary Ambrose Linang.
KUCHING: The Unit For Other Religions (Unifor) has been praised by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas for doing its part in cementing inter-religious harmony and unity in the state.
In noting that Unifor has moved beyond its name, Uggah said it is also now a recognised and supported platform in this regard.
“The state government’s financial allocation of RM15 million on 2017, RM20 million on 2018, RM30 million last year and RM50 million this year speaks volume of its appreciation and support,” said Uggah.
“Going further it has been allocated a three-acre site at Jalan Ong Tiang Swee here for its headquarters building,” he said during a dinner to appreciate the contributions by the unit’s retired first director Datu Dr Ngenang Janggu here last night.
Ngenang was succeeded by Richard Lon.
Uggah said in addition to these grants, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had given direct grants to assist the non-Islamic religious groups as well.
“In fact in the last three years definitely more than RM60 million worth of assistance to more than 500 projects had been given to many of our non-Islamic religious groups,” Uggah added.
He said when Unifor was first mooted by former Chief Minister, the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem in 2017, it took the challenge to shape up its own direction.
“There was no role model to follow anywhere in the country as Unifor is only available in Sarawak. Some skeptics predicted that it would remain just a name to please the non- Islamic groups and would not progress beyond its name.
“But here it is today – an effective platform where the non-Islamic groups can air their views, fears and worries or concerns with a view to finding amicable solutions,” Uggah added.
“it is after all its objective to maintain and promote racial and religious harmony and unity in the state. It is also a bridge between them and the Islamic group in the state to foster greater understanding, tolerance and peace,” he said.
Uggah said before this, there were non-Islamic houses of worship that were without roofs or walls or were in very sad state.
He added that these have become things of the past in Sarawak following the establishment of Unifor.
Uggah said Unifor is now a role model towards preserving religious and racial harmony and unity in the nation.
“It will not adopt confrontation in solving problems and issues arising but will bring them to the table to be discussed and solved for the benefits of everyone.”
Therefore, he hoped that the non-Islamic religious groups will bring up any controversies, issues or fears faced by them to the unit.
“Please give the same strong support to Richard Lon who is the new director,” he said.
Meanwhile, Uggah paid tribute to the many contributions by Ngenang.
“He has been responsible to make Unifor into what it is today. He has consulted both Abang Johari and myself on many occasions. Managing the unit has not been an easy task but Ngenang has raised to the occasion,” Uggah said.
He said one of Ngenang’s contributions was the setting up of a charitable trust in Unifor to help finance the social and welfare activities of the non-Islamic groups.
“I will seek for funds from the state government to assist. On the headquarters building, a committee under the chairmanship of the Assistant Minister of Local Government Datu Dr Penguang Manggil has been formed to come up with a plan.”
“We will meet sometime after the coming Chinese New Year celebration for further discussion. We hope to launch the construction soon,” he said.
The event was also attended by the Assistant Minister of Native Land Datuk Dr Roland Sagah, the State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion, his deputy Datu Ik Pahon Joyik and heads of 16 non-Islamic religious groups.
