Dr Penguang (fifth left) with recipients of the funds and faithful from Beluru BEM Church.
MARUDI: The state government’s provision and disbursement of funds to mosques, temples and churches around Marudi over the years shows its seriousness in the development of various houses of worship in the rural areas.
In stating this, Assistant Minister of Local Government Datu Dr Penguang Manggil said regardless of religions and denominations, the state government has never chosen one over the other in giving out funds for various purposes including repair and upgrade of existing buildings and construction of new houses of worship.
He made the remarks at the 21st anniversary celebration of Beluru Borneo Evangelical Mission (BEM) Church here yesterday.
“For instance, in Marudi, I have given out over RM10 million to fund several projects of various houses of worship, including mosques and suraus here.
“These funds came from me and also Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) which is responsible to take care of the welfare of the non-Islamic communities,” the Marudi assemblyman said.
At the event, Dr Penguang handed over a minor rural project (MRP) grants worth RM20,000 to Beluru BEM Church for repair and upgrade work as well as to fund the activities of the church’s women’s wing.
At the event, Dr Penguang also presented government funds for houses of worship for other religions totalling to RM460,000 from Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) to seven recipients including Sg Entulang All Saints Church, The Bishop of Miri, RC Pekan Lapok Church, Sg Laong (Rh Ngumbang Tia) Church, Rh John Marikan Sg Buti Church, BEM Lepong Ajai Sg Liam Church and BEM Tanjung Rian Church.