SAA education block to be named after late Puan Sri Juma’ani

SIBU: The new education block of the Sibu Autistic Association (SAA) in Jalan Alan will be named Wisma Puan Sri Datuk Amar Hajah Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Haji Bujang in honour of the late wife of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

The building will be officially opened by Abang Johari on Nov 14 as part of the 20th anniversary celebration of the Sibu Agape Centre.

Sibu Community Service Association chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King said the naming was a mark of appreciation and recognition of the late Puan Sri Juma’ani’s contributions and services.

He said the opening of the new education block also marked an important milestone for SAA in strengthening its provision of special education facilities, autism intervention and therapy services.

“The new facility provides additional classrooms, therapy spaces and a more conducive learning environment, enabling the association to expand its capacity to serve more children and families,” he said at a press conference at the Sibu Agape Centre yesterday (Nov 3).

Tiong said the Premier was also scheduled to visit five organisations operating at the Agape Centre to learn more about their services, programmes and contributions to the community.

The five organisations are the Sibu Children with Special Needs Association, Methodist Care Centre, SAA, Special Olympics Sarawak (Sibu Branch) and Lau King Howe Memorial Children’s Clinic.

Established in 2006, the Agape Centre brings together the five organisations under one roof, with a common mission of supporting children, individuals with disabilities and families in need of care and assistance.
The 20th anniversary celebration, which begins at 9.30am, will also feature special performances and presentations by each organisation to showcase their services and contributions to the community.

Tiong expressed hope that the celebration would raise public awareness of the Agape Centre’s role and encourage more individuals, companies and community supporters to contribute to the work of the five organisations.