KUCHING: A donation amounting to RM55,971.20 collected from 225 mosques in Sarawak was presented to Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Islamic Affairs) Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman by Sarawak Islamic Council chairman Datu Putit Matzen yesterday as a donation for the soon-to-be completed Sibu Orphanage Complex.
OVER TO YOU: Daud (second right) receives a mock cheque from Putit at his office at Bangunan Baitulmal.
According to Daud, the RM12 million orphanage will be the biggest in the state, and it is scheduled to be completed in February next year.
He added that the new orphanage would be able to provide quality care and education to around 300 orphans from Sibu and its surrounding areas.
He said currently there were not enough orphanages in the state to cater to the growing number of orphans, especially from the rural areas.
“It is hoped that with the establishment of this orphanage in Sibu, the orphans from the rural areas around Sibu will also receive quality care and education,” he stressed.
Daud also said there were also plans to build orphanages in Bintulu and Mukah, adding that they were now waiting for the necessary funds to start the projects.
He added that they had already acquired the land.
There are currently two orphanage under Sarawak Orphans Welfare Organisation (Peryatim) – one each in Miri and Kuching.
The assistant minister urged the public and private sectors to help support orphanages in the state.
Residents from Laila Taib Welfare Complex, who presented their drawings to Putit as a souvenir, were also present during the function.