LUNDU: The 30-year-old St Cosmas Church in Kampung Pasir Tengah here is set to undergo reconstruction to accommodate the growing Christian community in the area.
Opar assemblyman Billy Sujang stressed the church’s crucial role as both a symbol of faith and a unifying force for Sarawak’s diverse Christian communities.
“The reconstruction of this church is an important step to replace the existing structure, which is over 30 years old and no longer adequate to accommodate the growing congregation.
“Churches often serve as a place where people from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds come together.
“This creates an environment where differences are appreciated and strengthened, making the church a symbol of unity amidst diversity,” he said when officiating the ground-breaking ceremony of the church on Monday (Jan 20).
The project has been made possible through a RM300,000 allocation from the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR), which Billy acknowledged for its continuous support for houses of worship in Sarawak.
Following the ceremony, he visited Kampung Pasir Hilir to inspect the ongoing repair works on the Pasir Hilir-Kendaie road and a bridge damaged by continuous heavy rain on Sunday.
The repairs are being undertaken by Rimbunan Sawit. Also present at the event were Pemanca Allen Manium Enggang, Penghulu Kutong Enggang, Kampung Pasir Tengah village chief David Morsen, Kampung Pasir Hilir village chief Rasan Oking, and St Cosmas Church chairman Peter Bojeng.