SIBU: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has expressed his heartfelt appreciation to Agape Centre here for naming its new building after his late wife, saying the gesture is a great honour to his family.
He said he was particularly touched that his late wife, Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang was being remembered for her contributions to society, especially her dedication to the welfare of children with special needs and other underprivileged groups.
“It is indeed a great honour for our family, especially for me personally, that you have named one of the buildings after my late wife.
“We are deeply touched that she is being remembered for what she had done for the community,” he said.
He said this at Agape Centre Sibu 20th Anniversary Celebration and the official opening and renaming of its new building as Wisma Puan Datuk Amar Hajah Juma’sni Tun Tuanku Bujang here on Saturday.
The Premier was accompanied by his daughter Dayang Norjihan at the function.
Abang Johari said his late wife had initiated the establishment of the Autism Centre in Kuching after becoming deeply concerned about the welfare of children with special needs.
“She believed that these children deserved support and opportunities to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives as they grew older.
“Towards the later years of her life, she embraced them as her own, giving them love and care,” he said.
He said after their children, Jihan and her brother, became independent, his wife devoted more time to serving the community.
She also continued the work of the late Datuk Patinggi Laila Taib in supporting an orphanage in Kuching.
As a member of Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers of Sarawak (SABATI), she was actively involved in its social welfare activities, including approaching shops, businesses and companies to seek donations for the organisation’s programmes.
Abang Johari said she had carried out the voluntary work from the early days of his ministerial career until her passing.
He said the naming of the building in Sibu was particularly meaningful as his late wife had spent her younger years growing up in the town.
The Premier also expressed happiness that Jihan was continuing her mother’s work and carrying forward her legacy of serving the community.
Meanwhile, Abang Johari acknowledged the leadership of Datuk Tiong Thai King, chairman of the Sibu Community Services Association, for his commitment and continuous contributions towards supporting Agape Centre.
“For the past 20 years, Agape Centre had served as an important community-based institution, bringing together various organisations under one roof to address different social needs,” he added.
He said the centre’s significance lay in its ability to unite organisations with different responsibilities and expertise under a common commitment to improving people’s lives.
The five organisations operating at the centre are the Association for Children with Special Needs Sibu, Methodist Care Centre, Sibu Autistic Association, Special Olympics Sibu and Lau King Howe Memorial Children’s Clinic.
Abang Johari said he was briefed that the clinic, which was based at the centre, also extended its services to support the various associations operating there.
He congratulated the Lau King Howe team for its contributions and commitment to providing services to the community.
Among those present were Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Michael Tiang, Bukit Assek and Bawang Assan incumbents Joseph Chieng and Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh respectively.
