Sarawak govt acknowledges contributions of churches and Mission schools to Sarawak's development, says Dr Sim

KUCHING, Dec 11 2025: Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian has said that the state government acknowledges the significant contribution of the churches and Christian missionaries in the development of Sarawak's education, especially through the establishment of missionary schools which have produced many leaders, professionals and community figures.

Caption: Governor Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife, Fauziah Mohd Sanusi (seated, centre) with Dr Sim Kui Hian (left) at the pre-Christmas dinner Wednesday night. 

He said a total of 129 missionary schools have received state government assistance involving an allocation of RM19 million to implement more than 650 infrastructure improvement projects, from 2021 to this year.

"Missionary schools not only build knowledge, but also shape discipline, human values ​​and leadership.

“In fact, the majority of Sarawak's leaders today are the result of this education system," he said at a pre-Christmas dinner organised by Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) last night.

The dinner was attended by, among others, Governor Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife, Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, Unifor director Georgina Apphia Ngau,  Association of Churches in Sarawak chairman Bishop Danald Jute and Archbishop of Kuching Simon. 

According to Unifor’s records and the 2020 census, Dr Sim said Christians make up 50.1 percent of Sarawak’s population, totalling 1.229 million members.

“This vibrant community represents a rich and diverse tapestry of denominations that maintain 2,333 houses of worship across the Sarawak.

“Roman Catholic Church leads with 712 houses of worship, followed by Borneo Evangelical Mission (BEM) with 662, and  Anglican Church with 306.

“Other significant denominations include Seventh-day Adventist Church with 202, Methodist Church with 182, and various Independent Churches with 129.

“Even our smaller congregations contribute to this extraordinary diversity. Independent Churches registered under SECA have 71,  Baptist Church 55, and both Blessed Church and Salvation Army have two each,” Dr Sim said, noting that together, they demonstrate the rich and dynamic Christian community that is an integral part of Sarawak.

He said Premier Abang Johari Openg has approved RM475 million through Unifor to support all communities of faith, from 2017 to this year.

He said the Christian community alone has benefitted from RM379,310,304 through 2,258 projects under the SDAF Fund.

“When we talk about education as the backbone of our progress, we cannot ignore the pivotal role played by Christian missionaries and churches that laid the foundations of some of our most iconic mission schools.

“Schools such as St Joseph, St Teresa, St Thomas, St Mary and many others have shaped generations of Sarawakians who excel academically, spiritually, and socially.

“Many of Sarawak’s respected leaders (four out of six chief ministers/premier of Sarawak from SMK St Joseph), doctors, engineers, educators, and community figures are proud alumni.

“This is the real contribution of the Christian community to Sarawak’s human capital and to our future,” he elaborated.

He stressed that the state government will continue to demonstrate its high commitment to the principles of inclusiveness and interfaith harmony by channeling continuous support to the development of the Christian community and houses of worship throughout the state.

He said it has consistently supported the development of all houses of worship because it recognises their role as the foundation of the community that fosters social well-being, unity and harmony among the multi-religious community in Sarawak.

“Houses of worship are not just buildings, but centres for building values, unity and community well-being,” he said, adding that this is the true strength of Sarawak.

From Bangkok, Abang Johari is now in Nanjing for a four-day official working visit

NANJING: After attending an International Water Association’s congress and development exhibition in Bangkok, Premier Abang Johari Openg is now in Nanjing,  China, for a four-day official working visit.

Caption: Premier Abang Johari Openg is being received by Deputy Minister of Utilities Ibrahim Baki on arrival in Nanjing 

The visit began with an engagement session with the Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government at the Xikang Guesthouse, Nanjing on Thursday.

After the meeting, the premier and members of his delegation will witness the signing of the Framework Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Petros Petroleum Sarawak (Petros) and China Jiangsu International Economic and Technical Cooperation Group Ltd (CJI) at the CJI Headquarters here.

The third day of the visit will focus on a high-impact session at the Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP), one of the most successful industrial, technology and innovation development hubs in China.

The premier is scheduled to hear a development briefing at the Exhibition Hall and One Stop Centre, followed by an official meeting with the SIP Administrative Committee and a site visit to several leading companies operating in the area.

SIP, which is known for its smart manufacturing, automation and high-tech research ecosystem, is an important reference in Sarawak's efforts to develop an economic model based on technology and green energy, in line with the state's development aspirations.

Among members of his delegation are Petros chairman Hamid Bugo , Deputy Minister of Utilities (Sarawak Energy Berhad and Petros) Ibrahim Baki, Petros  Group Chief Executive Officer Janin Girie and other Petros senior officials.

The premier and members of his delegation are to depart  home on Saturday.

Federal govt must commit to genuine people-centred reforms, social activist Voon urges

KUCHING,Dec 10 2025: Social activist Voon Shiak Ni has asked the federal government to really commit itself to genuine people-centred reforms that uplift ordinary Malaysians instead of burdening them. 

Voon Shiak Ni: A government that promises reforms must ensure its policies do not crush the very people it claims to champion 

While the government speaks of “Madani” principles,  she said the reality on the ground for small businesses and low-income households tells a different story.

“The expansion of the Service Tax (ST) and the rushed implementation of e-invoicing are placing unnecessary pressure on micro-entrepreneurs, SMEs, and everyday Malaysians,” she said in a statement, today.

“These measures increase compliance costs, disrupt small operators, and ultimately push up the cost of living — the very opposite of what a reformist government is supposed to be doing,” Voon, who is also a legal practitioner, added.

She said small businesses are the backbone of Malaysia’s economy, pointing out that if reforms are truly meant to help the rakyat, then the government must review and scale down the Service Tax to avoid overburdening small traders.

She said this measure will help to make goods and services cheaper for the people as a whole.

Voon also argued that ensure every tax policy should align with the principle of protecting the rakyat, especially those already struggling with rising prices .

“A government that promises reforms must ensure its policies do not crush the very people it claims to champion,” she said.

Voon asserted that good governance will ensure all the people and parties under its governance are taken care of fairly and  equally and no one will be left out in any fair distribution of the nations’ wealth and facilities .

Citing an example, she the announcement of the raise in minimum wage for workers always come via an announcement by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim  without any proper feedback from the ground and stakeholders especially from employers of small businesses .

“Of course , a raise in the minimum wage for workers is good for employees but the government needs to study also the impact of such announcement and how many people have lost their jobs instead because employers cannot afford to pay their workers as economy is not as rosy as it supposed to be ,” she stressed.

Voon noted that the e-invoicing also came as a big hassle and put a lot of strains and stress especially on small shopkeepers and hawkers .

“It is a big task for many  to handle computerised system and to invest in software and training of staff and related matters is another big cost and expense for them .

“The requirement of stamping for employment contract is also an added hassle for small businesses.

“What is the rationale?” she asked, saying out that it is not about illegality as industrial court has recognised all employment agreements as long as properly signed by parties to the employment .

“In short , the government of the day is too strict and people are suffocating .

“The people have given their mandate for the government of the day and  they are hopeful for  reforms that make life easier, not harder for them and it is the federal government’s responsibility to listen, act, and correct course,” Voon said.

 

Assessment rates in Sarawak will not be increased, assures Dr Sim

KUCHING, Dec 10 2025: The assessment rates in Sarawak, which have remained unchanged since 1970, will not be increased, despite the increase in costs of operations and public services.

Caption: Dr Sim Kui Hian, flanked by his deputies Penguang Manggil (left)and Michael Tiang at the awards presentation ceremony. 

Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian cited parking rate in Sarawak as an example that still is being charged at 20 sen  for the first 30 minutes by each local council even after decades of implementation.

He explained that many local councils in other parts of the country have increased their assessment rates to the point where the parking rate can reach up to RM1 per hour.

"But why are we not increasing the assessment rates?” he asked at the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government (MPHLG) Awards ceremony here last night.

He explained that  all council members and all parties involved are working hard to help the people, to ensure that the costs of living do not increase.

Dr Sim also called on local councils to continue to maintain high standards, especially in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) roadmap being implemented in Sarawak.

The minister explained that the implementation is currently above the national average but is necessary to maintain the standard which is termed as the higher 'Borneo Forest' standard.

"The important thing is that our Sarawak SDG Roadmap, whether it is a city council, a municipal council or a rural district council, must be above the national average.

"What does above the national average mean? It means we are better than 50 per cent, if not higher.

"This 'Borneo Forest' standard is important because as Sarawak moves forward, Sarawak by 2030 will be very different from today," he explained.

Present at the ceremony were Deputy Ministers Michael Tiang Ming Tee and Penguang Manggil, Permanent Secretary Elizabeth Loh, Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Wee Hong Seng and  Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Tan Kai.