Greater convenience at BEM Bahasa Kayan Taman Tunku after upgrading — Dennis

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Dennis (third left) presents the MRP cheque to Wan, witnessed by the other church deacons.

MIRI: Worshippers and visitors attending church services or other activities at Borneo Evangelical Mission (BEM) Bahasa Kayan Taman Tunku will soon have greater convenience after the church building is upgraded.

In giving this assurance, Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau said the upgrading work to include better parking spaces is made possible with funds received from the Sarawak government.

“The problem started since the new church building was used in October 2017. Having attended several services and events at the church, I noticed the congregation do find difficulties with parking as the church building is located within the Taman Tunku Industrial Area,” said Dennis at the cheque presentation ceremony held at Telang Usan Community Service Centre yesterday.

“With this contribution, more parking spaces will be created to help alleviate the parking problem faced by those who come and congregate especially on Sundays,” he added.

On hand to receive the MRP cheque amounting to RM45,000 were the church deacons led by Wan Ngau Lah.

Initially opened up as a branch church under the wings of BEM Bahasa Kayan in Pujut 3, BEM Bahasa Kayan in Taman Tunku has now grown into a full-fledged BEM church under the BEM Church Sarawak, with more than 800 registered members.

BEM Bahasa Kayan Taman Tunku members are mostly Kayans, and those from Baram and Belaga who could understand Kayan dialect.

The church was first established at a rented shop lot in Taman Tunku commercial area.

After several years, the old venue became too small due to the increasing number of members, revealed Dennis.

Meanwhile, according to church treasurer Anyie Ajeng, in view of the ever-increasing service attendance, the church committee with support from BEM headquarters had submitted a request for funds to Unit for Other Religions (Unifor).

“Even with the new church building bigger than the previous place, it is already unable to hold all the service-goers and this forced us the committee to think and plan for the church’s needs,” added Anyie.

Wan Ngau conveyed their gratitude to Dennis and the Sarawak government for the continuous support to the church over the years.

“Without it, the efforts to provide a comfortable house of worship will be difficult,” he said.