Fire-damaged SM Citizen hostel to be built next year, funds rolling in

Soon (third from left) presenting the temple's donation to Ling.

SIBU, Nov 6: The hostel facility of SM Citizen which was badly damaged in the Oct 23 fire, will be rebuilt sometime next year.

School principal, Ling Shean Leong told reporters after receiving a donation of RM10,000 from Sibu Tua Pek Kong Temple today. He said a new block of the hostel will be built as soon as they can raise RM2mil for the construction.

Ling received the donation from the deputy chairman of the temple, Soon Choon Kui.

“We don’t know when we can start with the project but we anticipate it would be next year, once everything is ready including the availability of funds,” he said.

Ling said they had so far received donations totalling RM200,000 of which half of it came from the president of PDP, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.

SUPP Dudong had also started a donation drive for the school last week.

Ling said they were still waiting for contributions from the State Government.

“We have spoken to Education, Science and Technological Research Assistant Minister Dr Annuar Rapaee for funds,” he said.

The affected 10 students are temporarily being put up at another building of the school. These students are from Sibujaya, Permai and Kanowit.

In the fire, the hostel which was built in 1985 suffered 70 percent damaged especially on its upper floor which constituted mostly of wooden a wooden structure.

Meanwhile, the vice-chairman of the temple, Tan Boo Chiang said the donation was from their daily collection from worshipers. – DayakDaily