The Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR) was established on 27th April 2017 to look after the religious affairs of other religions (other than Islam) to maintain racial and religious harmony in Sarawak.
In Sarawak, religions other than Islam comprise of about 67.8 per cent of the population.
It is a new unit in the Chief Minister’s Department under the portfolio of Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister, YB Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
| Vision | Peaceful and Harmonious Unison of Other Religions in Sarawak |
| Mission | To foster and promote greater understanding, tolerance, acceptance, mutual respect and co-operation among people of different religious beliefs in Sarawak |
| Core values | Integrity Kind & CaringProfessionalismSense of Urgency & OwnershipTeam SpiritResult-Oriented |
The main objective for the establishment of UNIFOR are:
- To serve as a forum where conflicts and sensitive issues related to non-Muslim affairs are discussed and resolved amicably.
- To serve as a liaison between the Muslim and non-Muslim communities to further strengthen understanding and harmony among the people.
- To serve as an official channel for non-Muslim religious bodies to connect and interact with the Government.
Among the main functions of UNIFOR includes:
- To provide fund assistance for constructions, renovation and repair of houses of worship.
- To coordinate and facilitate siting applications for religious buildings and cemeteries.
- To keep and manage records on houses of worship or religious societies and cemeteries.
UNIFOR consist of four divisions:
| Division | Function |
| Administrative and Financial Division | Administrating and managing daily affairs of the department unit |
| Policy and Public Relations Division | Formulate and re-evaluate policies and policies related to religious affairs other than Islam in Sarawak.Serves as an official channel for religious bodies other than Islam to communicate & interact with the Government.Manage and resolve conflicts and sensitive issues related to non-Muslim affairs.Secretariat to the UNIFOR Religious Advisory Committee (consists of heads of religious bodies – Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh, Bahai, etc.) |
| Human Resource Development, Welfare & Board of Trustees Division | Assist in organizing and participating in programs and activities (such as National Day Prayer, Harmony Walk) that encourage as well as foster understanding and harmony between different religions.Secretariat to the Sarawak Unit for Other Religions Charitable TrustAssist in planning and managing the construction of the UNIFOR Complex at Jalan Ong Tiang Swee |
| Infrastructure Development Division | Managing the fund assistance application and monitor the progress for the physical projects of houses of worship (includes construction and reconstruction, renovation, upgrading, providing facilities and equipment to houses of worship as well as help locating burial locations)Administering records of houses of worship, cemeteries and other religious facilities in Sarawak |
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