Sarawak to carry on with its inclusivity policy, says Uggah

KUCHING: Sarawak will continue its policy of inclusivity beyond 2030 when it aims to become a high-income developed state, says Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah.

The Deputy Premier said inclusivity is one of the most important pillars in the state's post-Covid-19 development strategy (PCDS) up to 2030.

"But it doesn't mean that by 2030 we will no longer be inclusive. Inclusivity will continue," he told reporters after attending a thanksgiving prayer ceremony here on Friday (July 21).

The ceremony was organised by the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) in conjunction with Sarawak's 60th independence anniversary celebration this year.

Uggah said the state government would also continue to provide financial assistance to non-Muslim religions and their respective houses of worship.

He said Unifor was allocated RM100mil this year, doubled from the RM50mil last year.

"This will be an ongoing process as the houses of worship will need maintenance and repairs," he added.

On the thanksgiving prayer ceremony, Uggah said it showed Sarawak at its best with different groups coming together to pray for the state's peace, prosperity, progress and unity.

"We've been very united, that's why we have reached this level of development.

"We want Sarawak to move forward and focus on development in implementing PCDS 2030," he said.

The ceremony started with an opening prayer by Catholic Archbishop of Kuching Simon Poh, followed by Baha'i, Buddhist, Hindu, Christian, Sikh and Tao prayers.

The prayers focused on the theme of prosperity, peace, political stability, unity and social inclusivity blessings upon Sarawak