By Jacob Achoi
KUCHING, April 13: Kampung Sinar Baru near Rajah Charles Brooke Memorial (RCBM) Hospital, a leprosy rehabilitation village established over 40 years ago, now has a community hall.
Costing RM200,000 under Phase I, where works include metal structures and earth-filling, Phase II will see the construction of a stage, parking lots, building extension and walls at a cost of RM200,000.
Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang at the handover by Public Works Department (JKR) to the village chief Ngui Nam Chiew at the village today, said he will also help facilitate water and electricity supply for the building.
“Although there was some delay in the project, it finally came from the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government and as a responsible government, I will continue to help,” Lo said.
He believed that the hall will be used extensively, particularly with the presence of an adjacent housing estate under Pr1ma.
Ngu thanked the government for the project, saying that it will benefit about 400 villagers from 62 doors (households).
He hoped that the second phase of the project will be finished soon for the project’s full completion to really benefit the villagers thorugh various programmes by the government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Meanwhile, Heritage Society of RCBM Hospital president Angelina Jong, who was among those present said the hall will be of great benefit to the village when organising activities.
According to her, she has talked to Sarawak Craft Council to hold workshops for the villagers.
She added that the villagers were also interested in baking courses which she has helped to bring in.
“I will talk to churches and mosques on what to do at the village because if we want to help the villagem we need to help the community, and will do so one by one,” she stressed.
She further said a mini-library will be set up at the hall and they are now in the midst of collecting used books from the community. — DayakDaily
