KUCHING: Kampung Haji Baki Community Hall will see another extension of its current hall to be expanded by half the size of the current community hall, which will house a Community Halal Kitchen (CHK) which is to be the first in Malaysia, a library, a music room and Women Community room.
Batu Kitang assemblyman, Lo Khere Chiang, said the RM2 million project, which is also adjacent to the village’s current community hall and Darul Ehsan Mosque, will be constructed by the Public Works Department (PWD) and will start anytime soon.
“This village has seen many developments, and this community hall is one of the development projects which has been here since 2016.
“Under the leadership of Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, and the previous chief Minister, the late Tun Pehin Sri Adenan Satem, we have not only seen this hall development but also the mosque and soon, this existing hall will be adjacent to a new building, for which fund has been given by Abang Johari.
“During the Pakatan Harapan (PH) time, a lot of funds for Sarawak have been cut, but Abang Johari intervened and gave the fund using Sarawak’s very own fund to make this project successful,” he said.
He was met by the reporters at the Ramah Tamah 2025 Kampung Haji Baki, organised by Kampung Haji Baki Community Association, and attended by more than 1,000 people, near here on Sunday.
Kampung Haji Baki is led by Penghulu Sabtuyah Yusof and assisted by three village heads from Blocks A (Azmi Raini), B (Basli Sulaiman) and C (Rosli Ahmad Darus).
Lo explained that the new extension that will be constructed from the current existing hall, will house a few facilities that will benefit the people and students around the village besides giving them job opportunities.
“One of the facilities will be the library, and our Pustaka Negeri will help us build the facilities with a full-fledged library, not just about lending or reading books, but also give job opportunities here, and everyone can make use of the new facilities later.
“The school children can make use of the library, because it is an important avenue for them, so that they will not be involved in unhealthy activities, and there’s also playground within the vicinity,” he said.
The sole RM200,000 CHK will also outline Halal procedure certificates, apart from having their own halal equipment and these can be used by all communities.
Praising the community leaders and the community surrounding the village, Lo said he is thankful to everyone in his circle that has been cooperating and working with him.
“That is why, cooperating with one another, without dispute, we will be able to see many changes in this village.
“I am very fortunate that I receive cooperation from the village heads, the multiracial Kapitan, penghulu and many more, and the GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) government is able to give more funds to the community,” he said.
Currently, Kampung Haji Baki has constructed a futsal court, hawkers’ centre, cemetery site project and other infrastructure development facilities.
