SIBU: Sekolah Agama Madrasatul Islamiah Sibu at Masjid An-Nur Sibu is expected to start operating next year.
Assistant Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee said the refurbishment project had now been completed with an allocation of RM1.8 million from the state government.
He said his party was in the process of handing over management of the school to the Sarawak Islamic Council (MIS).
“Lembaga Amanah Kebajikan Islam Sibu (Lakis) intends to put this school under MIS management.
“The decision was to follow the footsteps of a religious school in Kuching, namely Sekolah Ma’ad Tahfiz Tun Abdul Rahman Yakub (Mattary) which is now under the management of MIS,” he said here on Sunday (April 11).
Earlier, Dr Annuar was present at the handover ceremony of the renovation project of the school.
The assistant minister, who is also the chairman of Lakis, said his party suggested that MIS take over the school in terms of management and co-curriculum.
After obtaining full approval from Lakis, Dr Annuar explained that MIS would make full use of the school building.
“In the next few months, I will be working on this so that next year, we can already start operating.
“This move is in line with the aspirations of the state government to create an international religious secondary school in Kuching,” he explained.
He added that if MIS took over, then the school would also follow an international syllabus like Mattary.
He said Lakis was still negotiating with MIS.
The Nangka assemblymen said the school would have six classes capable of accommodating 25 students each.
The school will also have a computer room, a surau, a multimedia room, a meeting room, a library, toilets for the disabled and others.
At the handover ceremony, Sibu Municipal Council (MPS) architect Joy Natalie Cotter presented a key of the school building to Dr Annuar to symbolise the completion of the repair work done by the council.
Lakis members were also present to inspect the school facilities and listen to a briefing on the structure of the building by Natalie.
Dr Annuar (left) listens to an explanation from Natalie. 
Dr Annuar (right) inspecting the school structure.
