Abang Johari (fourth right) presents a memento to a representative of one of the participating contingents. Looking on are Abdul Karim (third left), Dr Abdul Rahman (left), Misnu (third right), Tengku Mahmud (second right) and other guests-of-honour.
KOTA SAMARAHAN: The state government has increased the annual funding for Yayasan Sarawak from RM9 million to RM300 million.
According to Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, about RM100 million from the newly-raised funds would be allocated for study loans and scholarships.
He said he had come up with the move to increase the funding in his capacity as the chairman of Yayasan Sarawak, adding that the orphans who are accepted into universities would be among those to benefit from the funds.
“We brought in several international university groups such as Swinburne University and Curtin University to set up campuses here – orphans who succeed in their studies can definitely study here and are eligible for the scholarships,” the chief minister said at the opening of the 20th Malaysian Orphans Welfare Organisation (Peyatim) Tilawah Al-Quran and Nasyid competition at Universiti Teknologi Mara Kota Samarahan Campus.
“Orphans are an asset to the country – they are no different from any child with parents. In Islam, we are taught that every orphan is the responsibility of every Muslim and thus, we pledge to continue supporting them,” he said.
Abang Johari also hailed Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud as being instrumental in setting up an organisation, the Laila Taib Orphanage Complex, to take care of orphans in the state. It is known that the orphanage has produced many successful professionals.
“We must laud the Head of State on the initiative to establish the complex together with the late Datuk Patinggi Dr Laila Taib, who realised the need for a proper body to manage and care for orphans in the state professionally.
The result from this initiative has been very outstanding.
“There are teachers and engineers today who were brought up in Laila Taib Orphanage Complex. The state government will continue to find ways to assist them (orphans) to excel in life,” he added.
A total of 374 orphans from Peyatim centres across Malaysia took part in the five-day event here, which commenced last Friday.
Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Assistant Minister of Rural Electricity Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Sarawak Islamic Council president Datu Misnu Taha, Peyatim president Datuk Dr Tengku Mahmud Mansor and event advisor Tan Sri Bustari Yusuf were present at the opening ceremony.