KOTA SAMARAHAN: Institutions of higher learning such as Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) are urged to hold more programmes related to the various religions in the state.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the purpose was to promote stronger understanding and harmony among the people of Sarawak.
“We must always cultivate harmony and unity in our diversity. UNIMAS is also like a ‘mini Sarawak’ and is a gathering place for students from various races and religions from all over the country.
“Because of that, the government hopes that they will not only appreciate differences but make differences a unique unifying factor in Sarawak,” he said.
He said this when speaking at the UNIMAS’s Christmas eve celebration at Dewan Tuanku Abdul Rahman (DeTAR Putra) here on Friday (Dec 23).
Uggah also said Sarawak has long been known as a bastion of harmony between races and religions.
“The establishment of the Unit for Other Religious Unit (UNIFOR) at the Sarawak Premier’s office is the best example. The objective of establishing UNIFOR is to help the physical development of all non-Muslim houses of worship.
“As has been announced, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has allocated a budget of RM100 million to the unit next year and this is to provide grants to churches, chapels, temples, and more.
“If you return to your hometown and your area needs funds to develop a church or temple, please let me know, I will be happy to help you,” he said.
In another development, Uggah said the state’s economy is heading towards recovery.
“The government has drawn up the Sarawak Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 for us to leap forward to achieve the vision of becoming a developed and high-income state by 2030.
“In the context of capital and talent development, he said PCDS 2030 has combined the development of human capital and talent in its seven agendas.
“We expect that we will be able to create 195,000 high-paying jobs to generate a total of 1.5 million jobs by 2030,” he said.
In fact, he added, for next year, Sarawak will have a state development plan budget of RM10.797 billion.
In addition, he said, Sarawak’s revenue will increase to RM11.035 billion, thus becoming the first achievement for Sarawak to attain that revenue for the state.
