KOTA SAMARAHAN — Preliminary planning for the new Taman Desa Ilmu Mosque and upgrades to several suraus advanced during a high-level coordination meeting at the Samarahan Division Resident’s Office on Friday.
Chaired by Kota Samarahan MP Datuk Rubiah Wang and Samarahan Division Resident Mohamad Irwan Bahari Bujang, the session addressed critical development parameters for religious infrastructure across the parliamentary constituency.
Key agenda items included architectural design concepts tailored to community needs, strategic site selection criteria, and phased implementation timelines. “These facilities must serve both spiritual and communal functions as our Muslim population grows,” emphasized Rubiah, who concurrently serves as Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development.
Technical teams presented feasibility studies addressing parking capacity, accessibility compliance, and flood mitigation given Samarahan’s topography.
The meeting established a multi-agency task force to oversee:
- Funding Allocation: Securing federal/state sources including LUAS and Jakim grants
- Design Standards: Incorporating Sarawak Malay architectural elements with modern amenities
- Implementation Phasing: Prioritizing high-density neighbourhoods first
Resident Bujang confirmed the Taman Desa Ilmu project would feature a 1,500-person capacity with dedicated spaces for youth programs and disaster response coordination. Three existing suraus in rapidly developing zones will undergo expansion to alleviate congestion, with all projects slated for completion before Ramadan 1448H (2030).
Rubiah stressed interdepartmental coordination: “From JKR approvals to utility relocations – seamless execution ensures timely community benefits.” The initiative responds to Kota Samarahan’s 17% Muslim population growth since 2020, with current facilities operating at 130% capacity during Friday prayers.
