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The Star
29-06-2025
- General
- The Star
A symbol of unity and faith
Sacred space: Uggah (centre) at the new St Peter's Church in Kuching, accompanied by Poh (right) and Chin. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star KUCHING: The new Gothic-style St Peter's Church in Padungan here stands as a striking landmark of Sarawak's religious harmony and unity, says Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg. This could be seen in the church's location in the city centre in close proximity to other religious houses of worship, he said. 'We are blessed to live in a land where mutual respect and peaceful coexistence are not mere aspirations but a way of life. 'This church adds further beauty to that legacy and will undoubtedly be a tourism attraction in the years to come,' he said at the church's opening ceremony yesterday in a speech read by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah. The new church is a mere 2km or 3km away from the Floating Mosque, St Thomas' Cathedral (Anglican), Sikh Temple and the Tua Pek Kong temple. And the Sri Srinivasagar Kaliamman Hindu temple is just 850m away. Abang Johari commended the spirit of togetherness that made the church a reality, as the Catholic community collaborated with friends and supporters from other faiths and walks of life. He said the completion of the church showcased what a united community could achieve with a shared purpose and collective goodwill. 'This is not just a place for prayer and reflection, it is a symbol of vision, resilience and deep-rooted faith,' he added. Catholic Archbishop of Kuching Datuk Simon Poh said St Peter's Church complemented Kuching's religious harmony, friendship and goodwill. He noted that the opening ceremony was attended by people from different faiths who had been working together for peace and harmony. 'So this church becomes a sign of our desire for harmony, contributing to society and building a better Sarawak as a model for other parts of Malaysia and the world. 'Kuching is a city of unity and Sarawak the land of unity. This touches the hearts of many people who come from all walks of life, giving their support for the church building project,' he said. The RM38mil church, which seats 1,000 people, commenced construction in late 2019 and was completed in December last year. It was funded by public donations as well as RM3mil in grants from the state Unit for Other Religions (Unifor), including RM1mil handed over during the opening ceremony. St Peter's rector Rev Vincent Chin said the building was inspired by the neo-Gothic style of the old St Joseph's Cathedral here. 'In designing this sacred space, we were guided by the principle of anchoring traditions and embracing change. 'The roof trusses carry the same design from our old church but was constructed with modern steel instead of traditional wood,' he said. The church's Gothic features include spires, flying buttresses, pointed arches and stained glass windows. Chin said the stained glass was made entirely on site by Italian master craftsmen and incorporated local Dayak designs. He also said the tiles were produced by a local factory while the main door and cross were crafted by a local wood specialist and fittings by local artisans. 'This is truly a Sarawak-built church and we should be proud of it,' he said.
The Star
28-06-2025
- General
- The Star
New Gothic-style St Peter's Church symbolises Sarawak's unity and harmony
Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah (centre) entering the new St Peter's Church in Kuching, accompanied by Archbishop Datuk Simon Poh (right) and rector Rev Vincent Chin. - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star KUCHING: The newly opened Gothic-style St Peter's Church in Padungan stands as a testament to Sarawak's religious harmony and unity, says Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg. The Sarawak Premier highlighted the church's location in the city centre, close to other religious houses of worship, as a reflection of the region's spirit of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence. "We are blessed to live in a land where mutual respect and peaceful coexistence are not mere aspirations but a way of life. "This church adds further beauty to that legacy and will undoubtedly be a tourism attraction in the years to come," he said at the church's opening ceremony on Saturday (June 28). His speech was read by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah. Abang Johari praised the collaborative spirit that brought the church to fruition, with the Catholic community working alongside friends and supporters from various faiths and backgrounds. He noted that the completion of the church demonstrated the power of a united community working towards a shared purpose and collective goodwill. "This is not just a place for prayer and reflection, it is a symbol of vision, resilience and deep-rooted faith," he added. Catholic Archbishop of Kuching Datuk Simon Poh described St Peter's Church as more than just a building, but a landmark of harmony, friendship and goodwill. He noted the opening ceremony's diverse attendance, with people from different faiths contributing to peace and harmony. "So this church becomes a sign of our desire for harmony, contributing to society and building a better Sarawak as a model for other parts of Malaysia and the world. "Kuching is a city of unity and Sarawak the land of unity. This touches the hearts of many people who come from all walks of life, giving their support for the church building project," he told reporters. The RM38mil church began construction in late 2019 and was completed in December last year. It was funded by public donations and received RM3mil from the state Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) over three years, including RM1mil handed over during the opening ceremony. St Peter's rector Rev Vincent Chin explained that the building was inspired by the classical neo-Gothic style of the old St Joseph's Cathedral. "In designing this sacred space, we were guided by the principle of anchoring traditions and embracing change. The roof trusses carry the same design from our old church but constructed with modern steel instead of traditional wood," he said. With a seating capacity for 1,000 people, the church's Gothic features include pointed spires, flying buttresses, arches, and stained glass windows. Chin noted that the stained glass was made entirely on site by Italian master craftsmen and incorporated local Dayak designs. He also mentioned that the tiles were produced by a local factory, while the main door and cross were crafted by a local wood specialist, and fittings by local artisans. "This is truly a Sarawak-built church and we should be proud of it," he said.
The Star
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Gawai parade highlights diverse heritage in Sarawak
Vibrant display: Participants in traditional costumes taking part in the annual state Gawai parade in Kuching. – ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star KUCHING: Sarawakians showcased their rich multicultural heritage during the annual state Gawai parade here. Over 3,000 participants in 92 contingents from the Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu communities took part in the Niti Daun parade yesterday. Dressed in traditional costumes, they made a colourful sight as they walked from the Tun Jugah Building to the Kuching Waterfront, accompanied by 12 decorated floats. This year's parade, organised by the Orang Ulu community, began with the traditional Mamat ritual at the Tun Jugah Building. Historically, the thanksgiving ritual was conducted prior to headhunting expeditions and to seek blessings for the padi planting season. In modern times, the ritual continues to represent the core values of thanksgiving, unity, strength and courage. The parade was flagged off by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg, accompanied by other state dignitaries. Participant Vanessa Livan Sigau, of mixed Kayan-Kenyah heritage, said this was her second time taking part in the parade. 'I look forward to opportunities to showcase my culture and traditional costume,' she said, pointing to her beaded sash, belt and feathered headgear known as tapung se'. Watt Enjup, a member of the Persatuan Kebajikan Terabai Menua contingent, said the parade brought together Sarawakians from all races to celebrate the Gawai festival together. 'It shows that Sarawak has many ethnic groups, but we are all united,' he said. Also taking part was a contingent from the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association Sarawak branch and a delegation from North Kalimantan. Gawai is a festival celebrated by Sarawak's Dayak community on June 1 and June 2 to mark the end of the harvest season. The festival is a time for thanksgiving, celebrating diverse cultures, and strengthening bonds of friendship through open houses and other traditions.
The Star
17-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Asean Power Grid links among key topics at energy officials' meeting
Senior energy officials from Asean are convening in Kuching for a three-day regional meeting on energy. - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star KUCHING: Cross-border interconnection projects under the Asean Power Grid (APG) initiative were among key matters discussed at an ongoing regional meeting here. The 43rd Asean Senior Officials Meeting on Energy (SOME), organised by Malaysia's Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry, also reviewed the progress of the Asean Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Phase II 2021-2025. The development of the forthcoming APAEC 2026-2030 phase was also discussed, the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday (June 17). Current progress of multilateral energy trade under the Laos-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore power integration project (LTMS-PIP) was another item on the agenda, it added. "Topics related to energy transition policies were also highlighted, including the scaling up of renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, the potential of nuclear energy, and the coordination of regional energy policies," the statement read. The meeting also served as a platform for Asean countries to acknowledge the accession of Timor-Leste as a full member of the regional bloc. The three-day meeting, which started on Monday (June 16), brings together senior energy officials from all Asean member states, with a delegate from Timor-Leste participating as an observer. SOME serves as a key platform for deliberating regional energy policies and reinforcing the strategic direction of Asean energy cooperation. "The convening of SOME reflects the continued commitment of Asean member states in realising the goals of sustainable, inclusive and resilient energy development in the region. "The strong cooperation established among all stakeholders places the region on a solid path towards a sustainable energy future, while contributing towards shared prosperity," the statement said.
The Star
16-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Asean energy officials convene in Kuching for policy talks
Delegates attending the 43rd Asean Senior Officials Meeting on Energy (SOME) in Kuching on Monday (June 16). - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star KUCHING: Senior energy officials from Asean will discuss energy policies in a three-day regional meeting starting here on Monday (June 16). The 43rd Asean Senior Officials Meeting on Energy (SOME) is hosted by the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry in conjunction with Malaysia's Asean chairmanship this year. The ministry's secretary-general Datuk Mad Zaidi Mohd Karli said "Powering Asean: Bridging Boundaries, Building Prosperity" was the theme for the energy sector meetings, emphasising the need for dynamism in driving the region's development. "It also underscores the ultimate goal of Asean integration, which is to improve the lives of its citizens by promoting economic growth, creating jobs and focusing on inclusivity and sustainability that will benefit all segments of society," he said in his opening remarks. All 10 Asean member states, along with Timor Leste as an observer, are participating in SOME and its associated meetings. Besides energy officials, the delegates include representatives from the Asean Secretariat, Asean Centre for Energy and dialogue partners comprising China, South Korea, Japan, Russia and the United States. Additionally, representatives from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), International Energy Agency (IEA), Economic Research Institute for Asean and East Asia (ERIA), Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank are present. SOME and its associated meetings aim to align Asean energy policies at the senior official level by reviewing progress on the Asean Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (Apaec) and preparing key decisions for the 43rd Asean Ministers on Energy Meeting (Amem), which is scheduled to be held in October. Priority areas for SOME discussion this year include the Asean Power Grid (APG), status of initiatives towards achieving the Apaec targets and energy transition financing. SOME will discuss and deliver consensus-based outcomes, including an updated Apaec work plan, policy recommendations on regional energy security, renewable energy financing and grid integration. Key outcomes include advancing the APG enhanced memorandum of understanding, finalising the draft Apaec policy document and securing endorsement of the Asean Petroleum Security Agreement (Apsa).
