JOHOR BARU: Six units of quarters for imams and bilals (muezzin) attached to the new Tunku Laksamana Abdul Jalil Mosque at the state police headquarters were officially opened today.
The RM3 million three-storey building is a corporate social responsibility (CSR) project by luxury developer, Astaka Padu Sdn Bhd, which had also built the mosque.
Astaka Padu chief executive officer Datuk Zamani Kasim said the accommodation for mosque staff was part of the company's commitment to provide comfortable facilities at the mosque, which was opened by the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar on Aug 28.
"The entire mosque project cost about RM21 million, and this includes the quarters for the imams and bilal that cost about RM3 million. The projects are part of Astaka Padu's corporate social responsibility. The company believes in doing its best for this good cause," said Zamani after the launch of the quarters.
Johor Special Branch chief, Datuk Ramli Hassan launched the building by signing on a plaque in a simple ceremony. Also present were Astaka Padu chairman, Datuk Daing A. Malek Daing A. Rahman.
Zamani said each 1,200 sq ft quarters unit with three-bedrooms and two bathrooms, was fully-furnished.
The mosque was built in 11 months, while the imams and bilals quarters took 14 months to build.
There were also plans to set up a kindergarten at the ground floor of the quarters building.
Astaka Padu is the developer of "The Astaka" project, which comprises a 70-storey and 65-storey towers in Jalan Tebrau, Johor Baru.
The residential tower, which will rise to a height of 313m or 1,000 ft above sea level, will be the tallest in Malaysia and higher than any residential buildings in Singapore once completed in 2017.
The Astaka, which means royal pavilion forms part of 1 Bukit Senyum, a mixed integrated development with a gross development value of RM6billion.