Uggah performing the Ngajat at the Gawai Dayak celebration of St Francis Parish in Kota Samarahan on Saturday night.
KOTA SAMARAHAN: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas has been appointed Minister in Charge of Non-Islamic Affairs in the state.
He said the appointment was announced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem during the 18th State Legislative Assembly meeting here last week.
Uggah revealed this when addressing a dinner in conjunction with the Gawai Dayak organised by the Parish Council of St Francis Church that was held at its hall on Saturday night.
“This is a very important official channel established for the various non-Islamic religious bodies to interact with the Barisan Nasional-led state government.
“It will be a forum where any issue can be deliberated, with a view to strengthening religious harmony,” he told Bernama.
Uggah said it was also in line with Adenan’s vision for a united, harmonious and prosperous Sarawak.
“I am confident this new responsibility will provide an effective bridge between the state BN government and the non-Islamic faiths.
“It again reflects the fact that Adenan is a chief minister for all. This is also his new inclusiveness policy, in addition to the 53 achievements he had announced before the recent May 7 state election,” he said.
At the same function, Uggah who is also Minister for Modernisation of Agriculture and Rural Economy said he acknowledged and commended the close relationship and interaction between Muslims and non-Muslims in the state.
He believed that his new portfolio will allow for more effective interaction between the government and non-Muslims and contribute to a more racially harmonious Sarawak.
“I know that a Dayak Resident had organised an Al-Quran recital competition; a Malay district officer organised a Gawai Dayak celebration and a Chinese architect designed a Masjid,” he pointed out.
“This is the tradition in Sarawak where close cooperation of people from various races and religions is the norm,” he stressed.
“The challenge we face now is advanced technology where we are fed with negative and racially sensitive news which can be spread like wildfire in few seconds,” he cautioned.
“For that matter, we must avoid making statements online that can offend anyone and also avoid making false statement online,” he said.
At the function, Uggah presented RM30,000 in government grant to St Francis Kota Samarahan Parish for its community-based activities.