KUCHING: The Sarawak government is urged to give equal treatment in terms of financial allocations to non-Muslim religions in the state.
Mas Gading MP Mordi Bimol said the state’s fifth chief minister, the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem, had done a noble job in establishing the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) which present Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg should continue with more allocations.
He pointed out that non-Muslims also pay taxes and they deserve state funds and allocations as much as others.
“So much for us to fight for equality at the federal level, but at state level, we fail to implement it. I hope our Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister will look into this matter for the sake of our people in Sarawak,” he said.
Mordi, who is also DAP Sarawak vice chairman, was commenting on the announcements of RM30 million allocated by the Sarawak government for Unifor next year and RM9 million for a mosque expansion in Serian.
“The RM9 million for the mosque expansion in Serian is definitely good news for the people in Serian, especially the Muslim community. However, compare this with the RM30 million allocated for other religions in Sarawak through Unifor, it is something that Sarawak government needs to look into.
“RM9 million for one mosque, which is equivalent to 30 per cent of the total amount allocated for other religions throughout Sarawak, is unfair for the non-Muslims in the state,” he said.
According to him, he is fighting for the same cause in Parliament, and he expects the Sarawak government to understand this matter better.
“Both the state and federal governments should take this matter seriously.
“About 70 per cent of Sarawakians are non-Muslims, and about 35 per cent are Christians, and most of them are in rural areas. I’m not against any allocation for mosques in Sarawak, but I am expecting equal treatment of other religions in Sarawak,” he said.
Mordi had on Nov 14, when debating in the Dewan Rakyat, suggested to the new federal government to give special allocation to other religions apart from Islam in Sabah and Sarawak for upgrading or rebuilding their houses of worship.
Mordi had said in his speech that funds channelled by Unifor were insufficient which caused many non-Muslim religious bodies to hold fundraising activities to accumulate enough funds to upgrade their respective houses of worship.
Source : Borneo Post
Indie Borneo 