LET THE PROJECT START: Manyin operates the excavator with John Ha behind him at the earth-breaking ceremony.
KUCHING: The construction of the new St Ann Catholic Church in Kota Padawan received a boost from Infrastructure Development and Communication Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin.
Construction started about six years ago. Yesterday’s ceremony was for Phase I of the project.
The new church costs RM17.8 million but only RM4.5 million was raised. Manyin therefore called on Christians to assist by donating.
“A small donation will do and if we continue like this in a few years’ time, we will achieve our mission of raising the amount.”
Manyin said he would work on how to come up with “something” to help the project.
He revealed that he himself, Mambong MP Datuk Dr James Dawos who is Deputy Tourism Minister and Bengoh assemblyman Dr Jerip Susil who is also Assistant Public Health Minister had been working tirelessly on the project.
“To me, it is very important to build Christian religious centres like churches and Sunday schools for our young boys and girls to retreat, and understand what the religion is all about.
“And for that reason, I pledge to work on how to help,” Manyin said at the earth-breaking ceremony for the new church building at Kota Padawan, near here yesterday. It was performed by Archbishop John Ha.