He said at a press conference here that the Chief Minister, Adenan Satem, “had expressed his intention to create such a ministry in the state, similar to the Islamic affairs (post) when I sat down with him”.

Sim said the ministerial position reflected Adenan’s intention “to acknowledge Christians in the state”.

Dr Sim said the Association of Churches had sent a memorandum to Adenan in April last year to request such a ministerial appointment.

“I just followed up with CM (Adenan) when the Churches asked me to do so,” he said, adding that Adenan expressed his intention to create the ministry after the Sarawak state election.

When asked if Adenan had disclosed if the position will be given to him should he be elected to the state assembly, Dr Sim said the position should be given to a person of the Christian faith.

“I am a Buddhist. So it is not for me to take up the role,” he said. Dr Sim will be the Barisan Nasional candidate in Batu Kawah.

Christian groups in Sarawak previously have asked the state government to create a ministry for Christian and native affairs.