Mawan to seek financial aid for churches from Najib

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RAISING FUNDS: Mawan (third left) and Jilum showing the Taman Malihah Anglican Chapel Jogathon card at Imperial Hall, Crown Square, Jalan Pending, Kuching. Also seen (from left) are Rev Jugah, Thomas, Rev John and Mark. Photo by Churchill Edward

KUCHING: Senior Minister Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom said he will be seeking the assistance of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to raise funds for churches and their activities.

The Social Development Minister said this was in view of the numerous appeals for financial aid from churches throughout Sarawak, highlighting that it was apt to approach Najib, being Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, as the latter had been initiating outreach programmes to help the people and welfare bodies.

He was speaking at the fundraising dinner for the new building of Taman Malihah Anglican Chapel on Saturday night at Imperial Court, Crown Square in Jalan Pending, during which the organisers launched ‘jogathon’ cards to raise funds.

“I will be writing to the prime minister to seek for more funds in view of the numerous appeals from churches. The prime minister is a caring person and this was displayed when he initiated so many programmes that benefit the people,” he said.

Mawan made a pledge of RM15,000 to the chapel which is under the purview of St Paul’s Siol Kandis Anglican Church.

More than RM2,000 was collected for the Golden Voice, where Mawan rendered an Iban song ‘Penyayau aku enda luya’, made popular by Ellison Ludan.

He also gave tips on how organisations can raise funds effectively.

The event was also attended by St Paul’s Siol Kandis Anglican Church rector Rev Jugah Adi, his deputy Rev John Ugil, Penghulu Jonathan Jelai, Taman Malihah Anglican Chapel chairman Thomas Kana and his deputy Jabu Entinggie as well as fundraising coordinators Jilum Makup, Mark Andrew, Joanna Elias, Rozy Robert and Julis Janting.

Earlier, Mawan was at the 38th anniversary celebration of St James’ Bitikie Catholic church at Singai Sports and Recreational Hall in Singai, Bau.

At that dinner, he pledged RM20,000 to the church for its activities and building maintenance. Another RM6,500 was collected through the Golden Voice, where Mawan sang a Cliff Richard hit song ‘The young ones’.

Among those present were St Stephen’s Catholic Church rector Rev Fr Nicholas Ng, organising chairman Peter Rusip, St James’ Bitikie church leader Joseph Robi, Tanjong Poting headman Tonison Matan and Mawan’s close aide Gines Ruwia as well as Salcra deputy general manager Anthony Nogeh Gumbek and Sarawak Rivers Board controller William Jinep.

William presented Mawan with a biography of community leader John Jinep entitled ‘John Jinep … for the love of my family’. The book, priced at RM30 each, was on sale at the dinner, with the proceeds going to the building fund of St Peter’s Sirripau Catholic church.