SIBU: The Sibu Sikh Temple (Gurdwara Sahib Sibu) hostel in Jalan Awang Ramli Amit is expected to be completed by June or July this year.
Housing and Public Health Assistant Minister Dr Annuar Rapaee visited the temple today to monitor the progress of the construction of the temple’s hostel.
Speaking to New Sarawak Tribune, Dr Annuar said the total construction cost for the hostel is RM200,000.
“The project was approved under the Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) fund for Nangka.
“I am also distributing funds to other places of worship like mosques and churches,” he said.
Dr Annuar said he wants to ensure that all worshippers, irrespective of their beliefs, have a place that is conducive to practising their faiths.
Sibu Sikh Temple Association president Jagjiwan Singh said that the temple was first built in 1920 and renovated in 1960.
“We then planned for a hostel for devotees to be used during Akhand Path prayers at the temple supported by devotees from Miri, Kuching and Sabah.”
“The plans were first mooted in 2011 to utilise a piece of land at the back of the gurdwara as it has been empty for years.
“Thanks to Dr Annuar, who has been consistent in his support for the temple, renovations were able to be carried out since 2015,” he said.
He said the temple 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, he added.
He explained that 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 a build a separate access road from the side of the temple.
Approval was given in December last year with JKR appointed as the contractor. Construction works commenced February this year and are due for completion in June or July.
