UNIFOR Assistance Reaches Remote Ba Ajeng, Demonstrating No Community Is Left Behind
MIRI: The Sarawak Government’s commitment to ensuring inclusive development and welfare for all communities was once again demonstrated when assistance from the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR) reached the remote area of Ba Ajeng in Upper Baram through the construction of BEM Ba Ajeng Church.
Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala said the assistance proved that the government has never neglected the Penan community despite them living in remote and difficult-to-access areas.
“This church was among the early recipients of UNIFOR grants around 2018 and 2019, receiving an allocation of RM85,000 for the construction of the house of worship,” he said.
He said this while officiating the opening of the BEM Ba Ajeng Church building in Long Ajeng, Upper Baram, on Thursday.
Reaching the area requires approximately seven hours of travel by four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicle from Miri to Segah Selaan, followed by a one-and-a-half-hour boat journey.
According to Datuk Gerawat, in addition to the church construction, residents also received assistance from the Forest Department in the form of 1,580 sheets of spandek roofing for community use.
The Mulu assemblyman said that since 2017, the Sarawak Government has allocated RM650 million to UNIFOR to assist non-Muslim places of worship throughout the state.
“For 2026 alone, RM120 million has been allocated, comprising RM90 million for places of worship and RM30 million for mission schools.
“The Penan community and residents in rural areas have also benefited from various forms of assistance, including RM1,000 for every newborn child, maternity assistance and the Sarawak Basic Needs Contribution (SKAS),” he said.
During the same event, he also announced a Rural Transformation Project (MRP) allocation of RM10,000 for the Long Ajeng Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) and RM2,000 for the purchase of chairs for BEM Long Ajeng Church.
In addition, allocations of RM8,000 each were announced for the JKKKs of Long Murung and Long Lamam.
Also present were Political Secretary to the Premier of Sarawak, Dominic Nyurang Ajang, BEM Upper Baram District chairman Pastor Christopher Ega, Ba Ajeng village chief Rolend Luhat, Long Murung village chief Nelson Simun, Pastor Paul Dison, and Head Elder Damus Avun. -UKASnews
