SRI AMAN: A new integrated cemetery will be developed at Bukit Penyauk to address the critical shortage of Muslim burial space in Sri Aman, said acting Resident Mahra Salleh.
He said the project, which will be carried out on a 19.5-hectare site, is expected to provide a long-term solution to the issue of limited burial space in the area.
“The project, with a total estimated cost of RM1.38 million, is a strategic initiative resulting from the collaboration between the Sri Aman Development Agency (SADA) and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Sri Aman Division,” he said.
He said this in his speech when officiating at the JIWA@Komuniti Madani Gotong-Royong Programme at the Kampung Hulu Islamic Cemetery recently.
He added that the three main Islamic cemeteries in Kampung Hilir, Kampung Tengah, and Kampung Hulu are currently over 90 to 98 per cent full, making the establishment of a new site a pressing necessity rather than a choice.
He also said the development works would involve land levelling, the construction of a perimeter drainage system, a gravel access road, and two culvert units, with the main implementation scheduled to begin in 2025.
The project is also expected to stimulate the development of basic infrastructure in the surrounding area, which has long been sparsely populated due to the lack of essential amenities such as water and electricity supply.
“The cemetery will be designed in an integrated and modern manner, in compliance with shariah guidelines and incorporating elements of professionalism in the management of funerals,” he said.
The initiative, he added, paves the way for the adoption of advanced technologies such as plot management systems based on Geographic Information Systems (GIS), similar to the e-Cemetery system implemented at the Semariang Islamic Cemetery in Kuching.
“This system will allow next-of-kin to locate graves more quickly and accurately. Not only does it enhance administrative efficiency, but it also provides transparency and convenience for the public,” he added.
