KUCHING: The now-famous Lutong sight where a church and mosque stand side by side has inspired the building of a similar concept in Sebauh.
Minister of Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development, Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said the strong spirit of unity and mutual respect demonstrated in Lutong inspired him to build both places of worship, which will also share the same parking space.
“With this idea, I will also implement a project in Sebauh, a district under my jurisdiction, where we have five acres of land for a mosque and five acres for a church.
“These places of worship will share the same parking lot, separated only by an exterior fence. This will showcase our religious tolerance and reflect what we want to present to the world,” he explained.
He said this after visiting St Peter’s Catholic Church here today (Dec 9).
Meanwhile, St Peter’s Catholic Church in Padungan has become a new landmark synonymous with Kuching, known as the City of Unity.
Dr Rundi stated that the construction of this church, along with the presence of other places of worship in Kuching, highlights Sarawak’s unity, which is rare to find elsewhere.
“This will stand as a proud symbol of harmony, unity, and religious tolerance in Sarawak, which I believe is unmatched in any other state in Malaysia.
“This is part of our efforts to pave the way for a brighter future for Sarawak, where its people live harmoniously in comfort and are blessed by God. I hope this spirit can be maintained forever,” he said.
Meanwhile, Catholic Archbishop Datuk Dr Simon Poh said the presence of various places of worship in Kuching, located not far from each other, proves that people of different faiths respect and accept one another.
“This contributes to a harmonious city, with unity that highlights mutual respect and acceptance, further solidifying Kuching’s status as the City of Unity,” he explained.
One of the church’s main attractions is its 22 stained-glass panels, depicting significant moments in the life of Jesus Christ, known as the Way of the Cross. These panels incorporate local Dayak motifs, adding a unique cultural touch to the church.
In addition, St. Peter’s Church Rector, Fr Vincent Chin, shared that the church, which can accommodate around 1,000 faithful for Mass, will officially open in June next year.
Among those present during the visit were Serembu assemblyman Miro Simuh, Bukit Semuja assemblyman John Ilus, Veterinary Services Department (DVS) Director Datuk Dr Adrian Susin Ambud and UKAS Director Samuel Simon.
