KUCHING: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has approved a RM110 million budget for the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) to carry out its responsibilities in 2025.
Deputy Premier and minister-in-charge of Unifor, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, announced this on Tuesday (Dec 10), describing it as another demonstration of the Premier’s commitment to social inclusivity.
“This budget reflects the Premier’s dedication to fostering harmony and inclusivity among Sarawak’s diverse religious communities,” Uggah said during a cheque presentation ceremony at Wisma Bapa Malaysia.
At the event, Uggah presented 41 cheques totaling RM8,776 million to 20 members of parliament, state representatives, or their delegates. This marked the final disbursement of Unifor’s 2024 allocation, which also totalled RM110 million.
He noted that tomorrow, the final four cheques amounting to RM800,000 would be presented to the Head of State, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, for church projects in Lundu.
“This will bring the total disbursed under this year’s final allocation to RM9,576 million, benefitting 45 houses of worship statewide,” he said.
For 2024, Unifor allocated RM90 million for the construction or rehabilitation of 242 houses of worship and RM20 million for the maintenance of 120 mission schools.
Uggah urged recipients of Unifor grants to utilise the funds promptly and submit usage reports. He highlighted that 34 houses of worship or religious organisations had yet to submit reports for their respective projects, from a total of 594 initiatives.
He also cautioned against inflating project costs, sharing an instance where a group revised their project budget from RM1 million to RM3 million within months.
Also present during the ceremony was Utility and Telecommunications Minister Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi; Deputy Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Snowdan Lawan; and Deputy Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Datuk Rosey Yunus.
