SIBU, Sept 10 2026: About 850 Catholic community representatives from nine dioceses in Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak are gathering here for a five-day Malaysia Pastoral Conference 2026 (MPC2026) starting from September 9.
Caption: Federal Minister Aaron Ago Dagang hitting the gong to officially open the Malaysia Pastoral Conference
Minister of National Unityi Aaron Ago Dagang said the conference made history as the first national Catholic gathering held on such a scale since the formation of Malaysia in 1963.
“This conference is not only an opportunity for the Catholic community to strengthen their faith and fellowship, but is also an important opportunity to reflect on how religious communities can continue to contribute towards a more harmonious, inclusive and united Malaysia,” he said at the opening of MPC2026 themed “Celebrate, Listen, Walk Together” today.
Aaron said the event also continues the legacy of Christian community service that began since the arrival of Christian missionaries in Borneo in 1881.
He said that, based on the 2020 Population and Housing Census, there are about 2.9 million Christians or 9.1 percent of the country's population, with Sarawak recording the highest number.
He said that the Catholic community had made important contributions to the country's development through the fields of education, health, social welfare, charity work and service to the needy community.
According to him, the contribution proved that religious values could be translated into responsibility and concern for the community regardless of background.
Also present were director of Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR) Georgina Apphia Ngau; Bishop of Penang, Cardinal Sebastian Francis; president of the Malaysian Catholic Bishops' Conference and Archbishop of Kuching Reverend Simon Poh Hoon Seng; and Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur and President of MPC2026 Reverend Julian Leow Beng Kim.
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