SIBU: Plans are afoot for the construction of a headquarters office and multipurpose hall and church for Sibu District Council Borneo Evangelical Mission (BEM)/SIB) at Km 25 Sibu/ Salim Road near Sibujaya new township here.
The project estimated to cost about RM500,000 was launched by Julau MP Datuk Joseph Salang during its fundraising dinner here on Saturday night.
Present were DAP Lanang and Sibu MPs Alice Lau and Oscar Ling respectively, Bukit Asek assemblywoman Irene Chang and BEM/SIB Sarawak vice-pres-ident, Senior Pastor Bina Agung.
About 600 people from other Christian faiths were also present.
In his speech at the function, Salang said the project was worthy of the support of all concerned.
“We are helping to build a house of God. We are also helping to build a centre where our youths can take part in useful activities whereby they can learn and acquire positive values in the nation-building process,” he said.
Salang, who is chairman of the 1Malaysia Sarawak Advisory Council, said he would try to seek funds to help with project construction.
On the presence of DAP politicians at the event, he said this was because any religion is above politics.
“We may be talking and arguing over issues in our respective political divides, but we are one and united in Christ to help with this very meaningful project,” he said.
He added that Belaga state assemblyman Liwan Lagang had pledged a donation of RM10,000 to the construction fund, while Murum assemblyman Keneddy Chuk Pai had also pledged RM5,000.
In his address, Bina Agung thanked longhouse chief Simon Ason for donating a piece of land for the project.
He said the big sacrifice by Simon indicated that he was a good leader who had the interest of the people at heart.
When met later, Simon said the church could accommodate about 3,000 people.