Adenan (third right) presenting the state government’s contribution to Darul Husni Warrahmah Taman Rahmat/Taman Hussein Mosque committee through Daud (second left), as Hamdan (second right) and other committee members look on.

KUCHING: The state government yesterday presented contributions totalling RM7.5 million to three non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to help fund their activities.

The cheques were presented by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem to Amanah Khairat Yayasan Budaya Melayu Sarawak (YBMS), Lembaga Amanah Khairat Bandaraya Kuching and Jawatankuasa Masjid Darul Husni Warrahmah Taman Rahmat/Taman Hussien at the Chief Minister’s Office in the State Legislative Assembly building here.

Amanah Khairat YBMS received RM5 million, while Lembaga Amanah Khairat Bandaraya Kuching received RM2 million and Darul Husni Warrahmah Taman Rahmat/Taman Hussien Mosque received RM500,000.

Receiving on behalf of Amanah Khairat YBMS was its deputy chairman Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais while Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Islamic Affairs) Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman received on behalf of Lembaga Amanah Khairat Bandaraya Kuching and Darul Husni Warrahmah Taman Rahmat/Taman Hussien Mosque committee.

When met after the ceremony, Naroden said with the contribution from the state government, Amanah Khairat YBMS planned to organise a state-level cultural festival that would be held towards the end of the year as well as other events.

He said the cultural festival would be participated by all the ethnic groups such as Malays, Melanaus, Kedayans, Bidayuhs and Orang Ulus, and hoped that the event would be able to consolidate the cultural practices of the ethnic groups.

Meanwhile, Darul Husni Warrahmah Taman Rahmat/Taman Hussein Mosque committee chairman Hamdan Sharbini said despite receiving the contribution from the state government, the committee still needed public donation to develop a new mosque in Taman Hussein costing RM3 million.

Hamdan said so far, his committee had collected RM2 million in contributions.

As an effort to collect the remaining RM1 million, he said three individuals comprising two Sarawakians and a West Malaysian would cycle around the world to collect donations, besides helping to promote cycling and Sarawak.

The cyclers, to be led by Dato Mohd Kepli Mohd, would fly to Kuala Lumpur in March before going on a journey to 30 countries, including Thailand, Laos, UK, US and Turkey.

“They will be the first group from Sarawak to go around the world, covering a distance of 45,000 kilometres.”