‘Orphanage may start in June’

BINTULU: The RM11-million Bintulu Orphanage Complex in Kampung Jepak, with construction just completed, is expected to start operating this year.

Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office ( Islamic Affairs) Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman said it was the fourth orphanage complex built in Sarawak and would see its first intake of children probably in June or July this year.

“We are confident

it can start operating this year and if everything goes well, we will take (in) 50 children first. The complex would initially be able to accommodate about 200 children (100 boys and girls) at one time,” he told reporters yesterday.

It is currently in the process of finalising its management staff to run the administration and also awaiting for the connection of electricity and water supply.

According to Daud, it will only take in 50 children first, to give the staff an opportunity to get exposure and gain some experience to cope and deal with more children in the near future.

The Bintulu Orphanage Complex, costing RM11 million, is located at Lot 5478/ 7037, Block 31, Kemena Land District, Kampung Jepak Bintulu.

The complex consists of teacher’s quarters, student’s hostels, a gathering hall, an administrative centre, a surau and other facilities.