KUCHING: The Sarawak government will expand Sri Satok Senior Citizens Activity Centre (Pawe) building at Jalan Kulas here.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said a bigger area was required for the members to carry out their daily recreational activities.
“The building won’t be just for the members. It will also be used for training some doctors later on,” he said during the launch of Pawe Sri Satok building yesterday.
He said the government had discussed the matter with the Malaysian Scouts Federation (Sarawak branch) who owns the land next to the service centre needed for the expansion purpose.
“We discussed a land swap with the scouts. They agreed, and we have asked to have a formal handover. The state has a bigger piece of land which we will give to the scouts,” he said, adding that the Land and Survey Department had already identified that piece of land.
He said with the expansion of the building, many more senior citizens around Kuching can use the centre in order to continue to stay mentally and physically healthy and active.
“I believe this Pawe will be a good model, and we will develop more such centres across Sarawak,” he said.
For the centre to continue carrying out its activities, Abang Johari said a special allocation would be set aside for the Ministry of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development to assist it.
“It may not be much; it could be RM100,000. Pray that we win the Petronas case as it will be easier for us to provide the special allocation,” he said.
Abang Johari later also announced an allocation of RM60,000 for Pawe Kuching for its activities this year.
At the same function, he also presented a cheque for RM72,000 to acting chairman of Pawe Sri Satok, Penghulu Mohamad Maraji.
Pawe Sri Satok which was established in May 5 last year became fully operational in the following October.
Currently, 141 members are registered at the centre.
