By Asia Samachar Team | MALAYSIA |
The only gurdwara in Sibu, a Sarawak city located at the confluence of Rajang and Igan Rivers, will soon get a hostel for the use of outstation worshippers.
And this is thanks to the support of the state government.
The hostel, located adjoining the Gurdwara Sahib Sibu building on Jalan Awang Ramli Amit in Kuching, is expected to be completed within the next month or two.
Sarawak Housing and Public Health Assistant Minister Dr Annuar Rapaee, who visited the gurdwara on Saturday (May 25, 2019) to monitor the progress of the construction of the hostel, said the project received the green light under the Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) fund.
The total construction cost for the hostel is RM200,000, according to a statement released by Sibu Sikh Temple Association (SSTA) which manages the gurdwara.
“The government approved the hostel project under the RTP fund for Nangka….I am also distributing funds to other places of worship like mosques and churches,” said Dr Annuar.
He said the government wants to ensure that all worshippers in the state, irrespective of their beliefs, have a place to practise their faiths.
SSTA president Jagjiwan Singh said the gurdwara was built in 1920 and renovated 40 years later in 1960.
“At that time the gurdwara committee a hostel for devotees from Miri, Kuching and Sabah coming for Akhand Path prayers at the temple.
“In 2011 we decided to use a piece of land at the back of the gurdwara for the hostel project as it has been empty for years.
“Thanks to Dr Annuar, who has been consistent in his support for the gurdwara, renovations were able to be carried out since 2015,” he said in the statement sent to Asia Samachar.
He said the gurdwara has its own plan to build at least five apartment-style single-storey units. Each unit will have two bedrooms, a living hall, a kitchen and a bathroom.
“The Public Works Department (JKR) followed the detailed temple plans and informed the temple committee that with the RTP budget, they will be able to build two complete units with utilities and build a separate access road at the side of the temple,” Jagjiwan said.
Approval was given in December 2018 with JKR appointed as the contractor. Construction works commenced February 2019 and are due for completion in June or July.
Jagjiwan said the gurdwara committee planned to have the official opening in either August or September.
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