Hii (front row, sixth right) flanked by Wong (left), Chiam and others take a close look at the building plan after the topping ceremony.
MIRI: Work on the new centre for Association of Parents with Special Children Miri (Pibakis) in Lutong is ahead of schedule but it has to pay RM2.15 million for it.
Philanthropist and project chairman Datuk Hii King Chiong is appealing for the public to donate generously towards the building fund.
“The project is 70 per cent complete but we are still short of RM2.15 million to complete the project and furnish it.
“We need public support so this centre could be used for children with special needs undergoing programmes under PDK (Community Rehabilitation Centre),” he told reporters after the topping ceremony for the centre.
Among those present were Pibakis legal advisor Victor Wong Lit Fah and Pibakis president Chiam Yun Chaw.
Chiam said the contract for the RM5 million centre is up to July.
“The contractor assured us that they can complete it by June. Thus public assistance in cash and kind is needed.
“Those who cannot come to our PDK centre — currently housed at the old Shell Quarters — to see how our PDK programmes are carried out, can access our facebook site PIBAKIS Miri,” said Chiam.
Currently, the centre is congested as it caters to 135 children.
He said the new centre will provide a more conducive learning and teaching environment for children and youths with learning disabilities to be trained in basic skills for them to get jobs.
Among the programmes held under PDK are Early Intervention Programme (EIP) for special children aged seven and below, Day Training Programme (DTP) that provides living skills, vocational and educational training to youths with disabilities; physiotherapy or occupational therapies as well as social and outdoor outings like swimming, bowling, badminton and bocce.
He said Pibakis needs public support as the non-profit organisation takes care of the welfare, health and future of special children and youths through PDK programmes.
Those wanting to donate to Pibakis can contact him at 016-8513373.