LIMBANG: The Sarawak Government has set aside a special fund of RM9 million to restore mosques and suraus in this constituency.
Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodities and Sarawak Regional Development Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail said the allocation encompasses the upgrading of key religious centres, including the mosque in Kampung Limpaku Pinang and four suraus strategically located in Kampung Malagangai, Kampung Limpaki, Kampung Kuala Berawan and Taman Seri Patiambun.
However, he pointed out the challenges faced by the state government in upgrading ageing places of worship and schools, particularly in finding suitable land near urban areas.
“If available, the prices are quite high, and some are unwilling to sell their land. Another alternative is to use existing sites, which may require demolishing for new construction,” he said during the Ramadan programme at Darul Makmur Surau here on Thursday (Apr 4).
The Bukit Kota assemblyman said that Surau Darul Makmur is one of the suraus in Kampung Malagangai that received special funds from the state government.
He asserted that once the land issue is resolved, the upgrading project for the surau will be implemented immediately.
“The Land and Survey Department has informed us that the surau site matters in this village are expected to be fully resolved by next October.
“I will try to expedite the land matters process since the funds are already available.
“The surau’s design will be done by engineers from the Public Works Department (PWD), and I request that its size not be smaller than the old surau,” he added.
He added that RM400,000 from the Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) allocation was also used because the special funds allocated to four designated suraus were insufficient to cover compensation for new land sites.
During the event, Abdul Rahman had the opportunity to break fast with the residents of Kampung Malagangai and distribute donations to 10 selected recipients.
He also performed the Maghrib, Isyak, and Tarawih prayers in congregation.
Also present were Limbang District Officer’s representative Mohd Firhan Iskandar Goh, Limbang Islamic Religious Department Officer Ustaz Awang Abdul Rahim Awang Rosely, Deputy Chief Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Sarawak (PBB) Bukit Kota Branch, Osman Salleh and Chairman of Surau Darul Makmur of Kampung Malagangai Ibrahim Miamit.
