Wan Junaidi (left) hands over a mock cheque to Engachok (third left) during the fund-raising dinner. Also seen are Aeries (second left), Nelson (third right) and Roannie (second right).
KUCHING: Plans for the first Anglican church to be built in Semariang area took off on a good footing when the committee for St Paul’s Bandar Baru Semariang Anglican Extension Centre received RM350,000 during a fund-raising dinner recently.
The money was presented by Deputy Home Minister Dato Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar during the event at Crown Square.
Organisers revealed that it was the second time the minister had donated to church building fund – in 2013 he donated RM300,000 to the centre.
Anglicans in Semariang area are currently worshipping at a centre overseen by the St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Siol Kandis but with the growing congregation, the centre’s committee decided to build a church there to accommodate them.
The growing number of Anglicans in Semariang could be due to the opening of housing projects in the Bandar Baru Semariang area.
Meanwhile, Wan Junaidi said he was happy to help the people build a church in his parliamentary constituency because he had always supported religious and racial tolerance.
Bandar Baru Semariang is part of the Santubong parliamentary constituency.
“We live in a beautiful state like Sarawak where religious and racial tolerance is strong. My only wish is that everyone here in Sarawak will fight hard to preserve it for as long as we can,” he added.
He assured the constituents that they were not only free to practise their religion, but should be comfortable as well doing so, hence his wish to see the church completed soon. Sub-deacon Engachok Siong, who is the fund-raising organising chairman, was grateful for Wan Junaidi’s help, saying the donation would go a long way in helping them to realise their wish for a new church.
“Tonight, we breathe a huge sigh of relief. We still need at least RM440,000 more to complete the construction of the church but the money (given by Wan Junaidi) will do for now.”
Wan Junaidi meanwhile said the money was from the federal government which he negotiated for and hoped the people would also give due thanks.
According to Engachok, the RM350,000 would be used to build a new hall for the centre and upgrade its parking facilities.
The dinner was also attended by Anglican Diocese of Kuching Assistant Bishop Rt Revd Aeries Sumping Jingan among others.