PADAWAN: The Padawan District Christmas Celebration 2025 has emerged as a strong symbol of unity among churches of different denominations, reinforcing shared values, community cohesion, and social harmony.
Deputy Transport Minister (Road and Aviation) and Mambong assemblyman, Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, said churches play a role far beyond worship, serving as key institutions in shaping moral values, fostering togetherness, and ensuring social stability in Sarawak’s multicultural society.
He said the joint organisation of the Christmas celebration involving various church denominations reflected the maturity and unity of the Christian community in Padawan.
“The participation of churches from the Sidang Injil Borneo, Methodist, Anglican, Catholic and Evangelical denominations clearly demonstrates strong cooperation across differences, driven by community leadership and local social organisations,” he said in his officiating speech at Dewan Gunasama Asah Bratan on Thursday.
Dr Jerip added that church associations and federations should continue to be strengthened as platforms for unity, dialogue and mutual understanding, so that diversity can be celebrated as a source of strength rather than division.
On government support, he expressed appreciation to the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR) for its significant role in safeguarding interfaith harmony in Sarawak.
He said that in 2024 alone, more than RM11 million was channelled by UNIFOR to assist houses of worship, including churches, temples and shrines, across the Mambong constituency, in addition to support for educational institutions.
During the event, Dr Jerip also presented Christmas aid to underprivileged recipients in the Mambong constituency as part of efforts to support community welfare.
Also present were Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) President, Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik, and Siburan District Officer, Ranum Bari.
