KUCHING: Construction of the Sheikh Haji Othman Abdul Wahab mosque at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama (SMKA) Sheikh Haji Othman Abdul Wahab is set to begin soon.
Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Integrity and Ombudsman), Datuk Dr Juanda Jaya, who also chairs the mosque’s construction committee, said a five-acre site has been identified within the school compound and that the mosque’s design has been finalised.
“The land is strategically located next to the main road and close to a rapidly growing residential area,” he said.
He added that the Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had earlier approved RM10 million for the project, along with an additional RM13 million to build a Darul Huffaz complex and an astronomical tower adjacent to the mosque.
“We have RM11.1 million currently available, RM10 million from the Premier and RM1.17 million raised through public endowment (wakaf).
“The first phase involving the mosque’s construction will proceed soon, while the second phase, which includes Darul Huffaz and the astronomical tower, is expected to begin next year,” he told reporters after a courtesy call on the Premier at Wisma Bapa Malaysia on Monday (July 21).
According to him, the project is part of the preparations for the school’s Golden Jubilee celebration slated for 2026.
Meanwhile, Dr Juanda also extended an invitation to the Premier to officiate at the upcoming Borneo International Integrity Summit (BIIS) 2025, which will be held from July 29 to 30 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).
He said Sarawak will host the summit for the first time, with over 1,000 participants expected, comprising university students and youth from Sarawak, Sabah, Brunei, Kalimantan and the Philippines.
“This summit is not just an ordinary seminar — it will feature dynamic discussions and aims to foster a culture of integrity, good governance, transparency and anti-corruption values from the university level,” he added.
