KUCHING: Sarawak’s development must be supported by trust among its people alongside investments in physical infrastructure.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said political, economic and social stability must move together to give the people confidence in the future.
“We often talk about infrastructure such as roads, bridges, ports, energy and digital connectivity, but there is another form of infrastructure that is even more important.
“That infrastructure is trust because without it, development will not take us far,” he said in a speech delivered by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas at the Thanksgiving Ceremony for Other Religions in conjunction with the national-level Malaysia Day celebration at Pullman Hotel here on Monday (Sept 14).
Abang Johari said Sarawak’s greatest strength was not limited to its natural resources or economic capabilities but also included the trust and strong relationships built among its diverse communities.
He said generations of Sarawakians had lived together through moderation, tolerance and mutual respect despite differences in religion, culture and language.
“We choose dialogue over division, understanding over prejudice and mutual respect over intolerance, and that is the Sarawak way,” he said, adding that the state government would continue to respect and protect the freedom of every community to practise its religion peacefully.
Abang Johari said the establishment of the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR) in 2017 reflected the state government’s commitment to translating inclusivity into governance.
To date, the state government has approved RM685 million through UNIFOR, comprising RM565 million for non-Muslim houses of worship and RM120 million for mission schools.
This year, RM120 million was allocated to UNIFOR, with RM90 million for houses of worship and RM30 million for mission schools, including RM10 million for STEM projects.
Under the first phase, RM34.88 million has been approved and distributed to 146 houses of worship projects throughout Sarawak.
“Unity does not require uniformity because we do not need to be the same to live as one society,” he said.
