Uggah (sixth left) joining other distinguished guests in cutting the cake to mark the second anniversary of Holy Trinity Parish Lambir. Also seen are Jaul (second left), Danald (seventh’s right), Jecksion (fourth left), Yii (left), Wilson (fifth left) and (from right) Lukanisman, Dennis, Ting and Ripin.
MIRI: Sarawak is the model state in which unity and religious harmony have indeed prevail and continue to bind Sarawakians together, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
Thus, Uggah called on every Sarawakians to ensure that no outside forces will break them up and urged them to build the wall together so the state will continue to be prosperous.
“The close working relationship the state government has with its people is the key to build a better future for Sarawak, bringing prosperity where everybody is free to choose their religion to worship and enabling us to mingle together in setting the steps towards continuous development.
“I therefore, want the people in Sarawak to maintain this close relationship,” he said in his officiating speech at the Elevation and Proclamation of Holy Trinity Church to Parish and 2nd Anniversary Dinner held at Mega Hotel here last night.
Uggah who is also Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development congratulated the Holy Trinity Parish Lambir organising committee for having successfully organised the event as well as in raising funds to elevate and proclaim the church into a parish.
“I know the route to reach this elevation and proclamation has not been easy, as I was also involved in raising funds for the church. It is not easy to raise RM2 million but you have achieved it, congratulation,” he said, adding that he hopes the faithful are able to learn how the committee able to raise the funds by going through the ‘right direction’.
“I hope this will be a lesson for all of us, that is the cooperation and collaboration between all church members in Lambir and the close relationship between the committee and the state government leaders, and that is how we are able to achieve the ambition to build church and today elevated to be a parish,” he added.
Uggah emphasised that the state government has always been very supportive in development of churches in the state as church has very important role in the development of society and socio-economic especially in forging unity among the community at large.
“As far as we, the state government is concerned, we are here to help,” he stressed.
Uggah pointed out that the Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, the leader of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government in Sarawak is always willing and prepared to listen.
“That is why he (Abang Johari) has always been supportive to Unifor (Unit for Other Religions) not only by words but also in giving funds. In addition to the fund given to Unifor, he also adds in some more funds from his other resources.
“That is a clear evidence of his full support to the churches in Sarawak,” he reiterated.
Uggah said Sarawakians are very lucky as Sarawak is the only state in Malaysia to have a unit for other religions as part of the government agency and department.
“We must continue to work together for the noble contribution of realising the vision for Sarawak to move forward with unity, prosperity for a better Sarawak in the future. We want to see Sarawak to be united, prosperous and to be one of the developed states by 2030,” said Uggah.
Also present at the event were Deputy State Secretary Datu Jaul Samion, Unifor director Datu Dr Ngenang Janggu, Bishop of the Anglican Church in Sarawak and Brunei the Right Reverend Danald Jute, Priest-in-Charge of Holy Trinity Parish Lambir Reverend Jecksion Tay, Miri mayor Adam Yii, Sibuti MP Lukanisman Awang Sauni, Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting, Lambir assemblyman Ripin Lamat, Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau and the event organising chairman Pemanca Wilson Siang Lim.