Chieng (in yellow) presenting the money to Leong at the project site.
THE Namo Buddha Society Sibu in Sarawak has received financial assistance for the construction of its new monastery.
The Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) has allocated RM1mil for the third phase of the association’s new monastery construction project at Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce.
Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng said the latest allocation completes the assistance that has been rolled out since 2021, bringing the total amount given to RM1.65mil.
Chieng said construction of the monastery showed encouraging progress.
“Last year, only the foundation had been completed. Today, the structure has risen to two-and-a half storeys. According to the association’s chairman, the main structure is expected to be completed by the end of next year,” he told reporters after handing over the allocation to the association.
The new monastery, known as Namo Buddha Monastery, will be the first of its kind in Sibu and is also expected to become a tourist attraction capable of boosting the local economy.
He noted that the surrounding area had been allocated to seven or eight other religious organisations, including Buddhist groups and churches, as part of the government’s efforts to promote harmony among followers of different faiths.
According to Chieng, Unifor’s ongoing commitment reflected the state government’s determination to ensure that non-Muslim houses of worship also benefitted from balanced development.
“Sarawak remains the only state with an organised mechanism to support the development of non-Muslim religious institutions.
“This initiative began during the late Tan Sri Adenan Satem’s administration in 2017 and continues under the leadership of the Sarawak Premier.
“This year alone, the government approved RM110mil for the construction and upgrading of houses of worship and missionary schools,” he said.
He advised religious organisations wishing to apply for assistance through Unifor to contact him.
Also present were Namo Buddha Society Sibu president Leong Chew Ling and the association’s committee members. — By ANDY CHUA
