Rayong (centre) handing over a letter of appointment to community leader Betok at Simpang Jengin on Friday. Also seen is Nyalau (third left).
ENGKILILI: Anglican Christians in Skim Skrang villagers received good tidings when their assemblyman Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa on Friday pledged RM500,000 for a new chapel.
According to villagers, the present church will be demolished to make way for the Pan Borneo Highway which cuts through the area.
In February, a dialogue was held between the villagers, chapel officials and developers for the Pan Borneo Highway where the villagers agreed to demolish their church and build a new one nearby.
St Benedict’s chapel Skim Skrang, built in the 1960s, is located at the roadside along the Sri Aman-Betong road.
Eaton Ngipa, who is an Anglican from Skim Skrang, revealed that the villagers have unanimously agreed to build a new church near the village hall.
“It is sad for us see this church go but it is for the good of everyone. We are making way for an infrastructure that benefits everyone, one which we Skim Skrang villagers are also excited about, which is the Pan Borneo Highway” he added.
Bangkong Mawing on the other hand commented that with the money available to build the new church from Rayong, the new church is expected to be bigger and more resplendent than the present one.
“We see it as a blessing for us as the current chapel tends to get crowded during services. The new chapel building will have the bigger capacity to fit more congregation,” he said.
Rayong, who also spoke to thesundaypost yesterday commented that as he is not only the area’s elected representative but an Anglican as well, thus feeling obliged to construct the new church as it is an integral part of the Skim Skrang community.
“The money used to fund this project is not from me, but from the BN government and I am here to deliver to the people. Then again, I just cannot imagine Skim Skrang without a place to worship,” he added.
Rayong was at Simpang Jengin, Skim Skrang on Friday when he made the announcement. He also introduced two new community leaders to the people there – Betok Tubi (Simpang Jengin) and Inchang Ancheh (Skim Skrang) who were both appointed penghulus for their areas very recently.
Also present were Lubok Antu MP Datuk William Nyalau Badak, chapel officials, local government officials, other local community leaders and village chiefs.