(UPDATED)Unifor gets JKR's help to assess, monitor costs of quotations for houses of worship projects

KUCHING, Jan 27 2026: The Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) has formed a strategic partnership with the state Public Works Department (PWD) to assess and monitor the costs of quotations for each application for the houses of worship.

Douglas Uggah: The step to strengthen monitoring reflected the Sarawak Government's commitment to ensure that each Unifor's project is implemented efficiently, transparently- Picture by Ukas
 

Deputy Premier and Minister in Charge of Unifor Douglas Uggah Embas said the initiative aims to ensure that each project cost submitted is reasonable, affordable, and in line with current market prices.

“PWD now has a list of bills of quantities for construction materials used in government contracts.

This allows for more accurate and transparent assessments, thus ensuring that public funds are utilized optimally,” he told reporters after after handing funds to the representatives of houses of worship today.

A total of RM120 million in assistance was channeled, involving RM90 million for the construction of houses of worship of various religions and RM30 million for missionary schools throughout Sarawak.

He added that this step to strengthen monitoring reflected the Sarawak Government's commitment to ensure that each Unifor's project was implemented efficiently, transparently and provided direct benefits to the local community.  

Uggah also reminded that all project applications under Unifor must be submitted no later than the end of February to avoid delays in project implementation.

He said that delays in submitting applications have caused the assessment, approval and allocation process to not be implemented according to the set schedule.

“Last year we faced several issues. That is why we are asking all State Legislative Members (SLMs) and the management of houses of worship to submit early applications, no later than the end of February, so that the process can be expedited and the same problem does not recur,” he said.

He added that the Sarawak government is planning to distribute allocations through the issuance of cheques as early as June, but this can only be realised if applications are received earlier.

He said out of the 309 projects approved under Unifor, 285 projects are still in the implementation process and have not submitted progress reports.

He explained that this situation was believed to have occurred because some recipients only received allocations at the final stage, but monitoring is still carried out continuously by the Unifor team.

“Our team is very active in going to the field and interacting with recipients.

"However, project progress reports are mandatory. Without reports and the use of funds according to plan, new applications will not be considered,” he stressed.

Unifor previously allocated RM90 million for houses of worship projects and RM30 million for mission schools as part of the Sarawak government's commitment to maintaining inter-religious harmony in the state.