MIRI – A significant financial grant of RM500,000 has been allocated to the Borneo Evangelical Mission (BEM) Pelita Church here for its development and facility enhancement projects. The contribution was formally presented by Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew, the Sarawak Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts.
The handover ceremony was conducted this Wednesday at the church’s own Multipurpose Hall. Datuk Sebastian Ting, who also serves as the Piasau State Assemblyman, clarified that the funds originated from the state’s Other Religions Affairs Unit (UNIFOR).
The allocation was initially handed over to him by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas for subsequent distribution.
He commended the initiative of the Sarawak Government, led by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Openg, in establishing UNIFOR.
The unit has a defined mandate to support the welfare of followers of religions other than Islam and to reinforce interreligious harmony across the state.
The Deputy Minister provided practical advice to the church administration, urging them to promptly deposit the cheque due to its standard validity period of only three months.
He also expressed his expectation that the substantial sum would be utilised responsibly for its intended purpose, which is the execution of development works and the improvement of the church’s facilities.
Furthermore, he requested that a report on the expenditure and usage of the funds be prepared and submitted to the relevant authorities for accountability and transparency.
Datuk Sebastian Ting also indicated that the church should not hesitate to submit an additional application to UNIFOR in the future if the current allocation proves insufficient for their comprehensive development needs.
The establishment of UNIFOR is widely regarded as a progressive policy that reflects the state government’s commitment to fostering religious tolerance and supporting diverse communities.
Such grants enable religious institutions to maintain and upgrade their infrastructure, thereby better serving their congregations.
This financial support is part of a broader strategy to ensure equitable development and social cohesion throughout Sarawak.
By assisting with physical infrastructure, the government aids in creating conducive environments for community activities and worship.
The event underscores the ongoing collaboration between state entities and religious organisations in pursuit of shared societal goals.
