RM70m building, protection for non-Muslims: Premier
Published on: Monday, August 08, 2022
By: Bernama
Johari said as the head of the State Government who is a Muslim, he has always insisted that the “Charter of Medina” is a very suitable guide to guarantee fair administration for the multi-ethnic and multi-religious communities in Sarawak.
KUCHING: Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg stressed that the State Government will protect non-Muslims and care for them to achieve togetherness and inclusion.He said as an example the Sarawak Government has channeled aid to non-Muslims through the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) on the basis that non-Muslims also need the protection and care of the State Government.
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“Since its introduction in 2017, Unifor has provided RM215 million to build or repair houses of worship for non-Muslim religions, RM30 million for missionary schools and RM10 million for administrative purposes,” he said at the closing of the state-level Jelajah Aspirasi Keluarga Malaysia event here by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
He said the State Government has also provided an allocation of RM70 million to build Unifor Building in Jalan Ong Tiang Swee, Kuching, so that its administration is more organised and the implementation of religious activities under Unifor is more
orderly.
“I am confident and believe that togetherness in terms of religious development between the Muslim and non-Muslim communities in Sarawak will give birth to a society that is friendly to each other and avoids prejudices that can cause division,” the premier said.
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He said as the head of the State Government who is a Muslim, he has always insisted that the “Charter of Medina” is a very suitable guide to guarantee fair administration for the multi-ethnic and multi-religious communities in Sarawak.
He said lately, the country has experienced an uncertain political situation which has had a negative impact on the country.
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He said the prime minister’s leadership has shown some positive changes and that the state sincerely hopes that this situation will last and that the country will continue to be stable and move towards a dynamic and advanced economy.
Abang Johari said in Sarawak, with the high spirit of understanding and unity that has been built over the years a multi-ethnic and religious community of small Keluarga Sarawak under the auspices of a large Keluarga Malaysia has been established.
“However, just like in a large family, there will definitely be differences of opinions and different ways of doing things between Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak,” he said.
He said such kind of situation is not a big problem if these different views and methods are resolved in good faith in a family and friendly atmosphere.
“There are no differences that cannot be resolved if discussed sincerely for mutual benefit and win-win for all parties,” he said.
“There are no differences that we can’t overcome if they are discussed in a sincere way for mutual benefit and win-win results,” he said.
The closing ceremony was officiated by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Abang Johari said he appreciated the autonomy and “little freedom” given for Sarawak to make its own decisions in the Federation of Malaysia for the sake of the state’s progress.
He hoped that through this freedom, Sarawak would become on par with other developed areas in the country.
“As part of the big Malaysian Family, I am sure that the prime minister and the nation’s leadership would like to see the success of any development programme implemented in Sarawak,” he said.
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