KUCHING: The Malaysia Muslim Welfare Organisation (PERKIM) Sarawak Branch plans to have a new building to house stroke rehabilitation patients and elderly care as well as being the headquarters for the branch in Sarawak.

PERKIM Sarawak Chairwoman, Dato Hanifah Hajar Taib said, a courtesy visit to the Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg to get his views on the matter and also on ways to empower the organisation in terms of sustainable development.

The Deputy Minister of Economy said that Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari gave a positive response and suggested that the new building incorporate green buildings concepts such as the use of solar panels.

"We want to get the opinion of the Premier of Sarawak because it is an initiative that we want to empower ourselves in terms of implementing sustainable development while also getting feedback on the matter,” she said. 

She told reporters after a courtesy visit to the Sarawak Premier at Wisma Bapa Malaysia on Tuesday.

Commenting further on the elderly care service, The Member of Parliament for Mukah explained that the service is offered as a daily care centre, providing a space for the elderly to socialise and serving as a learning centre for them.

"We want to provide a space where the elderly can feel valued and interact with others. They can also learn new things here, especially on healthcare and food," she said.

The new building will be located at Jalan Sultan Tengah, Petra Jaya, near the Laila Taib Welfare Complex (PERYATIM) with an estimated construction cost of under RM15 million.

Also present were Vice Chairwomen of PERKIM Sarawak, Dato Sri Rohani Abdul Karim and Datin Noraini Hussin, Honorary Secretary, Datin Mazlin Darus, Honorary Treasurer, Dayang Noraini Abang Zawawi as well as committee members and consultants of PERKIM Sarawak. -UKASnews