Other Faiths Continue To Receive Aid Via UNIFOR: Premier Reassures

KUCHING / 20/02/2023

KUCHING, Mon: Sarawak’s Premier, Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg today gave reassurance that the Sarawak government would continue to provide financial assistance to people of non-Muslim faiths in the state to ensure that they could worship in comfortable and decent conditions.

He pointed out that the strong commitment of the GPS government under his leadership to provide financial assistance to all religious communities was in keeping with inclusivity as a pillar of the Post-Covid Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030).

"Particularly those in the government. You must share. Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is sharing (resources). My government, my administration is sharing that. That's why we formed UNIFOR," he said.

The state government  achieved about RM 12 billion in revenue in 2022 and of the amount RM100 million would be shared through UNIFOR this year to assist  the various communities of faith including missionary and Chinese schools in the rural areas, he assured.

The Premier said these in his address when officiating at the Malaysian Interfaith Harmony Forum 2023 organised by UNIFOR here.

He also pointed out that the PCDS 2030 was founded on three strategic pillars, namely economic prosperity, social inclusion and environmental sustainability.

“Without economic prosperity, you cannot fulfill your ‘sedekah’ (charitable) obligation. So we have to work in order to upgrade our livelihood towards high income economy so that people got the means to look after themselves and to look after the society.

The second strategic approach is social inclusivity. Meaning regardless of race, regardless of religion, we embrace everyone,” he told the people.

He said the third strategic approach was environmental sustainability because there must be moderation in the use of resources where the human kind and the  environment must coexist in harmony.

For this reason Sarawak was a strong proponent of hydrogen as clean energy in concert with the global effort trying to reverse climate change, he added.

He described the PCDS 2030 as a  “philosophical” approach advocated by the Sarawak government towards moderation that was key to a balanced life.

Also present were Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who is also the minister in charge of Unifor, Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister, Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Minister in the Premier’s Department,  Datuk John Sikie Tayai, Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Dr. Jerip Susil, Unifor Director Datu Jack Aman Luat and leaders of religious groups. -Sarawakku

Sumber dari : Sarawakku