MIRI: The Sarawak Government's commitment to preserving inter-religious harmony and ensuring balanced development even in the interior areas continues to be strengthened through the channeling of funds from the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR) totaling RM1.032 million to churches in the Telang Usan area.

Telang Usan Assemblyman Dato Dennis Ngau said that the allocation reflects the Sarawak Government's inclusive policy which emphasises justice and equality regardless of religion or geographical location.

“The Sarawak Government under the leadership of the Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg always ensures that all communities, including those in rural and interior areas receive the necessary attention.

“UNIFOR is not just financial assistance, but a symbol of the government’s care for the harmony and well-being of the people,” he said during the UNIFOR Allocation Presentation Ceremony to churches in the Telang Usan area at the Telang Usan Service Centre, here, on Thursday.

According to him, the allocation distributed included six main recipients, namely Borneo Evangelical Mission (BEM) Long Lutin which received, RM300,000, The Bishop of Miri Emmanuel Catholic Church Long Apu receiving RM250,000, St Peter Church Long Sobeng receiving RM125,000 and BEM Long Anyat receiving RM150,000.

Also receiving allocations were The Bishop of Miri – St. Petrus Church, Long Palai totaling RM107,000 and the St Pius National School Management Board which received a total of RM100,000 through two cheques worth RM87,000 and RM13,000.

Dato Dennis stressed that all recipients must ensure that the allocation is used according to the original purpose of the application, practice transparent and integrity-based financial management.

“Every cent of public funds must directly benefit the community. Expenditure records must be kept well to facilitate monitoring and requests for additional allocations in the future,” he stressed.

He also reminded that any changes in leadership or committees at the church level should not affect the implementation of approved projects, while emphasising that UNIFOR allocations belong to the institution and the community, not individuals.

The ceremony reflected the Sarawak Government’s continued commitment to fostering unity, mutual respect between religious followers and ensuring that the development of houses of worship continues to be implemented in an inclusive and effective manner for the well-being of the state’s diverse community. -UKASnews