RM900,000 still needed for Islamic orphanage
Published on: Monday, March 13, 2023
Shahelmey and Samin at the groundbreaking ceremony.
PAPAR: Some RM900,000 is still needed to complete the As Sakinah Orphanage and Asnaf (RAY) Complex at Lok Kawi Beach Park, in Kinarut.Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Ir. Shahelmey Yahya said the amount was needed to cover the 50 per cent increase in costs from the original price, as the price of raw material has gotten more expensive after the Covid-19 pandemic.
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“This project is fully funded by the Tabung Rumah As Sakinah as a result of contributions and infaq from individuals and organisations with a total of RM2 million. There is still RM900,000 left to fulfil the RM3.03 million contract.
“The challenge we face is the effect of price increases because the world is now facing inflation.
“In 2020, when we started planning the design of this project, the estimated cost was around RM1.9 million but due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the increase in the price of construction materials, the cost has now increased to RM 3.03 million.
“I hope that within this year, the increase in the price of construction materials will not be drastic so that the contractor can complete the project on time,” he said.
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As such, Shahelmey urged philanthropists to make their kind donations towards the project, so that comfort and safety can be provided to the orphanage residents.
Shahelmey, who is also Public Works Minister and Putatan MP, said he will monitor the development and progress of the project, which started in March and is expected to complete in a year.
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He said he has also urged the contractor to perform their tasks well according to the agreed scope and specifications stated in the contract, adding that the consultant and project manager have been asked to help monitor the progress from time to time.
He added that with the completion of the complex, 80 students will be accommodated, in addition to the teaching staff and volunteers who serve at the welfare home.
Meanwhile, RAY As Sakinah Chairman Samin Ongki, who is also Chief Executive of Yayasan Sabah College of Technology (KYTS), said there are a total of 34 male and female students, five teaching staff and 15 volunteers at the home.
“After 12 years, our children are in Universiti Malaya, Baitulmal Vocational College, Melaka Islamic University College which is now known as Melaka University and recently Yayasan Sabah College of Technology has chosen two children from the home to do diplomas, sponsored by Yayasan Sabah.
“Out of the RM3.03 million tender, the contractor has contributed back in the form of Wakaf worth RM100,000. This means that we only need funds of less than RM3 million, the problem is that we do not have RM900,000 yet.
“However, I am confident that this noble work will be facilitated by Allah SWT and our leaders will never leave us here,” he said at the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the RAY As Sakinah Complex, last Friday.
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