By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, May 31: Construction on Rumah Seri Kenangan (RSK) Kuching, a home for the elderly, has finally completed after a decade-long wait.
Sarawak Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said work on the project started in 2012 but it encountered contractor problems.
The residents were then temporarily housed at Samarahan Rehabilitation Centre near Jalan Datuk Muhammad Musa. To date, RSK Kuching has about 61 occupants.
“The new complex will be able to accommodate a total of 156 residents who need care and protection.
“To facilitate the administration and management of the institution, a total of 27 existing staff are stationed at RSK Kuching under the supervision of its principal Syarifah Ranimah Wan Hashim,” Fatimah said.
She said this when officiating at the handing over of the project from Sarawak Public Works Department (PWD) to Sarawak Social Welfare Department (JKMS) at the site at 12th Mile, Jalan Kuching-Serian today.
The new RSK Kuching located on a 25.37-acre site is divided into three basic components, namely administration, residences and staff quarters.
It is a physical project under the 12th Malaysia Plan with a total allocation of RM35,942,466.75.
Among the facilities available in the new complex are an administration office, four clusters of residences, multipurpose hall, sub-centre for various activities and programmes, laundrette, dining hall, patient ward, surau, staff quarters, a safe house and a guard house.
Criteria for admission to to RSK include poor individuals and aged 60 years and above, not suffering from infectious diseases, has no family or guardians, not having a permanent place of residence and able to take care of themselves.
Also present were Women and Childhood Development Deputy Minister Datuk Rosey Yunus, Community Wellbeing Development Deputy Minister Mohamad Razi Sitam, Sarawak PWD director Datu Zuraimi Sabki, Kuching Resident Datu Sherrina Hussaini and JKMS director Noriah Ahmad. — DayakDaily
