Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah (third left) receiving a memento from USPG general secretary Rev Dr Duncan Dormor at the dinner.
KUCHING: Sarawak's inclusive policies have strengthened unity and harmony among the state's diverse population, says Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
He said Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg not only recognised that Sarawak was a multiracial and multireligious society but strongly supported the state's Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) in protecting the rights and interests of all races and faiths.
"He has contributed generously to Unifor's operating budget, allocating RM100mil last year and raising it to RM110mil this year.
"In addition, he has approved a sum of RM20mil this year to assist mission schools statewide," Uggah said at a dinner hosted by Unifor for international advisers of the United Society Partners in the Gospel (USPG) here on Monday (March 11) night.
The delegates came from Ghana, Britain, Botswana, Namibia, Canada, India and Samoa, led by USPG general secretary Rev Dr Duncan Dormor.
USPG is an Anglican mission agency based in Britain which supported the establishment of churches and mission schools in Borneo in the 19th century.
Also present was Anglican Bishop of Kuching Datuk Danald Jute.
Uggah said Unifor had spent over RM333mil on the construction of new churches, chapels and temples from 2017 to 2022.
He said Unifor also spent RM50mil to assist 127 mission schools in their physical development and maintenance from 2021 to last year.
In his speech, Dormor said Unifor was a model for promoting inter-religious harmony.
He also said there were Anglican schools in Britain with Muslim students.
"Local Muslim communities deeply value the Anglican schools where their children go. It is lovely to see this in different parts of the world.
"I think when this happens across countries, it builds hope of a generous open-hearted world," he said.
