KUCHING: The state will continue to help non-Muslim organisations in line with the government’s push to enhance unity-in-diversity in Sarawak.
With the setting up of the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor), there can be a more structured approach to facilitate infrastructure development, cultural exchanges and welfare programmes by non-Muslim organisations.
Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, who represented Deputy Chief Minister and Minister in charge for Unifor Datuk Amar Douglas Embas, said this in his speech at the event to celebrate the Hindu festival of Ponggal at the Kuching Waterfront yesterday.
He thanked the late Chief Minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem for creating the unit under the auspices of the Chief Minister’s Department during his tenure.
He also thanked Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg for continuing with the policy and for the RM30-million allotments accorded to the unit for 2019.
Sim said, “With the 5 per cent oil and gas tax imposed on exported oil and gas from Sarawak, we expect there will be an increase in allocations for Unifor in the future.
“Unifor will be developing its centre in the city soon and once ready, the unit will also be conducting and supporting welfare-based activities by non-Muslim groups in the state.”
The minister thanked the Hindu community for organising and sharing their culture with the rest of Sarawak as it would help enhance cultural and religious tolerance and understanding in the state.
“I know Prahbu from his numerous activities in my area and I thank him for explaining the symbolism of the event clearly and I hope we all have learnt something new today,” said Dr Sim who is also Batu Kawa assemblyman.
Kuching Hindus converged at the waterfront yesterday morning to commemorate this year’s Ponggal Festival in style with 108 pots of Ponggal rice cooked on site.
Ponggal is a Hindu harvest festival largely celebrated by Tamils in India and around the world.
Ponggal is also known and celebrated with different names such as Makara Sankranthi, Uttarayana, Maghi, Magh Bihu, maghe Sankranthi and Shakrain by the multi-lingual people in India.
Malaysia Hindu Sangam Sarawak State Council chairman and organising chairman for yesterday’s event Prahbu Kripa Krishnarao (Prabhu), in his welcoming speech, described the event as one celebrated on the first day in the Tamil month of Thai.
He said the event is akin to the Gawai Dayak with particular focus on harvesting where the cow plays a big part.
He continued, “The cow is probably the most important animal to farmers and as such, during Ponggal many of the items used during worship are part of the cow such as its milk for cooking the Ponggal rice, its dung to make the fire, its urine as a purifier before the rituals take place and its skin to make utensils and music instruments.”
Prabhu explained that in Hinduism, there is a need to revere and worship the seven mothers that is one’s own mother, the wife of the guru, the wife of Brahma, the wife of a king, the cow, the nurse, and mother earth. This is part and parcel of why Hindus worship the cow.
Prabhu thanked the government for its assistance to help make the event a huge success with 108 Ponggal pots this year.
“108 is an auspicious number in the Hindu religion. We chant mantras 108 times and many things are done with 108 as the number of choice,” he said.
Also present at the event were Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang, Unifor director Datuk Dr Ngenang Jangu, Sikh Temple president Dr Kelvinder Singh Khaira and committee members of the Malaysian Hindu Sangam Sarawak State Council.
