Engachok (fourth left) receives the mock cheque for RM300,000 from Wan Junaidi. Also seen are Feona, on her husband’s left, and Rev James (third left).
KUCHING: The Sarawak government, through Unit for Other Religions (Unifor), has allocated RM300,000 for St Nicholas Chapel at Bandar Baru Samariang here.
Santubong MP Dato Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar presented the mock cheque for the assistance to the chapel’s sub-deacon Engachok Siong yesterday.
“I thank the state government for having the foresight to have the allocation yearly, something that can move all communities to create better citizens,” he said when met after handing over the mock cheque.
Wan Junaidi pledged to continue assisting committees of houses of worship in his Santubong constituency, saying that he was the MP not just for the Muslim Malays, but also for people of other races and religions.
“It is wrong for a political leader to differentiate people based on race and religion. I must be fair to all.”
Wan Junaidi disclosed that the initial amount he had asked for the chapel was RM500,000.
“But when the (federal) government changed in May 2018, all funds previously approved were taken back, including this one, as well as other funds for surau, temples and chapels in my constituency.
“But the state government, through Unifor, is kind enough to give you this special allocation,” he said.
St Nicholas Chapel has a congregation of over 1,000 Anglicans in Bandar Baru Samariang.
Wan Junaidi also announced that the Public Works Department would be instructed to carry out repair works on parts of the building affected by erosion and flooding.
Meanwhile Engachok, on behalf of the Anglicans in Bandar Baru Samariang, expressed their gratitude to Unifor for granting RM300,000 to the chapel.
“We are very happy and would like to thank Dato Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and Unifor for granting us this special grant.”
The chapel would still need funds to construct a hall behind it, as well as more parking spaces, he added.
Prior to moving to the current location in 2016, St Nicholas Chapel had operated at the rented shoplots in Bandar Baru Samariang for close to 10 years.
Present at the ceremony were Wan Junaidi’s wife Datin Sri Feona Wan Junaidi and Rev James Ahit Ladi.