KUCHING: Deputy Sarawak Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas has called on Malaysians of all races and faiths to strengthen unity and racial harmony.
In his Christmas message, he said open houses hosted by the Christian community were one of the ways to reinforce existing ties and goodwill, harmony and stability in the state.
"Let us hold strongly to our concept of 'Segulai Sejalai' (together, one direction) so that as one Sarawakians, we will achieve the chief objective of the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030) for Sarawak to be a high-income region," Uggah said.
He said non-Muslims have every reason to be optimistic in Sarawak as Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg had allocated RM110 million to the state's Unit For Other Religions (UNIFOR) this year, and another RM110 million next year, to build, rehabilitate and beautify non-Muslim houses of worship and maintain no fewer than 20 mission schools statewide.
"As the minister-in-charge of UNIFOR, it is my pleasant task, on behalf of all concerned, to thank Abang Jo for this wondrous gift which magnifies his empathy, thoughtfulness and concern for us all," he said.
"Certainly, this is a much welcome Christmas gift to the Christians and a most anticipated New Year cheer to all the rest," he added.
He added that the RM110 million allocation for this year had allowed UNIFOR to assist 242 different houses of worship at the cost of RM90 million.
He said the remaining RM20 million went to the mission schools.
He called on the religious organisations to spend the financial aid from UNIFOR for the purpose that they applied for.