SIBU: The Juma’ani Tuanku Haji Bujang Welfare Complex (KKJTHB) stands not just as a shelter but as a heartwarming testament to the community’s connection with orphaned children.
Having said this, Deputy Education, Innovation, and Talent Development Minister Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee lauded the Sarawak Indian Society’s (SIS) effort in fostering community ties through their recent Deepavali celebration held at the complex.
Formerly known as the Sarawak Orphans Welfare Association (Peryatim), he said the welfare complex has been instrumental in organising various programmes in collaboration with local communities.
“They (the orphanages) also need attention, care, and warmth from our community. I highly commend this.
“Despite having only 7,000 Indian community members in Sarawak, the Sarawak Indian Society (SIS) did not forget about our children in this centre and chose to organise the Deepavali celebration here,” he said.
He conveyed this message in his speech, representing the Premier’s wife, who is also the Peryatim Patron Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang at the Deepavali celebration organised by SIS at the welfare complex last night (Nov 25).
Dr Annuar, also the Nangka assemblyman, urged the community to preserve unity and bonds among people, regardless of their background.
“There’s no point in hating other religions. We were never taught, be it Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, or any religion, to teach someone to hate another religion, let alone fellow human beings.
“It’s useless to foster such feelings. It’s better to cultivate feelings of love among us rather than hatred for each other. This has been our guiding principle in Sarawak all along,” he said.
Also present were Peryatim Sibu EXCO chairman Datuk Mohamad Yusnar Matalie SIS President Strimari Rajamanikan, Sri Maha Mariamman Temple President Sibu Manogaran Krishnasam.
