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.
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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.
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