LIMBANG: Kampung Bunga Raya’s new surau will allow for more religious activities and programmes to be held, says Datuk Hasbi Habibollah.
The Deputy Minister of Rural Development II said the surau would be named in honour of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s late father.
“In conjunction with the Premier’s birthday, we agreed, together with Muslim community leaders, to name the surau as Surau Darul Ehsan Tun Abang Openg.”
He said this at the opening ceremony of the surau here today.
He also mentioned that the old surau, Surau Bunga Raya, was among the oldest in Limbang since the villagers migrated and established Kampung Bunga Raya in 1969.
“This surau has been used by the villagers as well as the surrounding communities to conduct prayers and programmes such as korban, religious seminars, committee meetings and others.
“As the surau ages, along with the frequent floodings, it was deemed unsafe. Most of the structure has been eaten by termites,” he added.
The Limbang MP said the community was worried that the dilapidated surau would collapse at any time.
He expressed his thanks to Abang Johari for approving a grant amounting to RM750,000 to build the new surau.
At the same time, Hasbi said the Gabungan Parti Sarawak state government under Abang Johari’s leadership had brought much development to Limbang.
“Projects such as the second Limbang bridge; the Limbang waterfront, the longest waterfront in Sarawak; Limbang Integrated Administration Centre, the 13km coastal road from Kampung Ipai to Kampung Pendam and the construction of the 27km road to Mentawai towards Gunung Buda, to name a few.
“We know the projects are behind schedule but as long as they are completed, the people of Limbang will benefit from this development, socially and economically.”