MIRI – A total of RM17.09 million has been allocated to 49 house of worship projects in the Piasau State Constituency through the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR) between 2017 and 2026.
The allocations have supported construction, renovation and facility improvement works for houses of worship serving different religious communities in the constituency.
Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts and Piasau Assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew said the funding was intended to help religious institutions carry out improvements based on their respective requirements.
He said three houses of worship had most recently received a combined RM1.02 million for construction and upgrading works.
The latest allocations included RM490,000 for the Gurdwara Sahib Miri Society to carry out Phase 2 of the reconstruction of its main prayer hall.
The Carmelite Monastery, Miri received RM350,000 for improvement works involving the chapel roof, including extending and raising the structure, installing new ceilings and rewiring the electrical system throughout the chapel and monastery.
St Joseph’s Cathedral was allocated a further RM180,000 for repainting and upgrading works. The improvements cover the cathedral foyer, bell tower roof, priests’ residence, carport and chapel.
Sebastian said the Gurdwara Sahib Miri Society had received a cumulative RM3.25 million in allocations from UNIFOR and the Piasau Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) between 2017 and 2026.
“In particular, the Gurdwara Sahib Miri Society has received a total allocation of RM3.25 million from UNIFOR and the Piasau RTP from 2017 to 2026,” he said.
He made the remarks after handing over UNIFOR cheques to representatives of the Gurdwara Sahib Miri Society at the Sikh Temple along Jalan Kubu on Friday.
The funding forms part of continued financial assistance for houses of worship in Piasau, with allocations directed towards projects according to the needs of individual institutions.
Sebastian said continued support through UNIFOR allowed houses of worship representing different faiths to improve their facilities and provide more suitable spaces for their respective communities.
Such projects can involve a range of works, from major reconstruction and structural improvements to electrical upgrades, repainting and enhancements to shared facilities. The latest allocations demonstrate the different types of work undertaken by religious institutions according to the condition and requirements of their premises.
The Piasau constituency has received support for dozens of such projects over the past decade, with the overall allocation reaching RM17.09 million for 49 projects from 2017 to 2026.
Sebastian also said houses of worship that still require additional funding could submit applications to UNIFOR for consideration.
The application process provides religious institutions with an avenue to seek assistance for further works, subject to consideration and the availability of allocations.
The latest funding is expected to support the three recipient institutions in carrying out their planned improvements while contributing to the upkeep of facilities used by their respective congregations and communities.
