Adenan delivering his speech during his visit to the mosque.

SIBU: The state government yesterday allocated RM2 million for the construction of the new Masjid Darul Halim at Kampung Bahagia Jaya, Teku.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem said the government would issue the cheque as soon as possible.

“The construction will cost about RM4 million. We will start off with RM2 million first,” he told reporters after a visit to the mosque yesterday.

Adenan revealed that land for the construction of the new mosque had been identified and hoped that construction would be completed as soon as possible.

The new mosque is expected to be double the size of the current mosque and would accommodate up to 1,500 worshippers.

Meanwhile, Islamic Affairs Assistant Minister Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman said that once construction commenced, the project would take about one and a half years to complete.

He also said that the new mosque would be built on the five acres of land.