The cheque for the amount was presented by Tiong’s personal assistant, Johnny Ling, to the Chairperson of Building Fund Committee, Dato Ursula Goh by Tiong’s personal assistant at the WI Divisional Building here yesterday morning.

Witnessing the cheque handing over ceremony were Chairperson WI Miri, Robiah binte Hasbi and Chairperson WI Bintulu, Jamilah bte Ajis, and their respective committee members. Ursula, who is also the President of Associated Country of Women of the World cum advisor to Sarawak Federation of Women Institute, expressed her gratefulness to Tiong for the donation.

“Our project which was mooted three years ago. It was supposed to cost us only RM600,000. But the prices of building materials had surged and now we need RM1 million to complete the project,” she explained.

Ursula said the current double-storey building situated at Jalan Jee Foh, Miri would be used as the Divisional Headquarters for WIs based in Miri, Bintulu, Batu Niah, Subis and Marudi.

She said the building which would serve as the meeting place for the WI members would also be the venue for conducting training courses for women to upgrade their skills and knowledge.

“We will also rent out our premises to other non-government organisations (NGOs) for them to conduct seminars, workshops and courses. This would generate income for WI to carry out its activities,” added Ursula.

Meanwhile, the new building would be expected to be completed by the end of this year. The construction work is undertaken by Bintulu-based Paling Construction Sdn Bhd.

“We will also hold a fund-raising activity early January to help cover the cost of the building,” she said.