MARAN: A four-storey hostel will be build at Sekolah Menengah Agama Maran to replace the wooden dormitory that was gutted by fire recently, said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob.
He said the construction would start immediately and expected to be completed in two years.
“The cost of the new hostel, between RM4 million and RM4.5 million would be borne by the East Coast Economic Region (ECER),” said Adnan, who is also Pahang ECER chairman, after visiting the school yesterday.
On Feb 7, 73 female students were displaced when fire destroyed the entire dormitory, including the furniture at about 6.35am.
Meanwhile, during the visit, the affected students were given a one-off monetary assistance of RM1,000 from the state government through Pahang Foundation, which Adnan is the chairman.
Also present was Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Muttalib, who also handed out aid of RM10,000 from the ministry.
Principal Shamsuri Shamsudin when met said the school was thankful to ECER and the state government with the announcement of a new hostel building.
“We are thankful for the prompt assistance, not only monetary but also new hostel for the students.”
He said currently, the affected students are being placed at the vacant staff quarters, which located within the school’s compound.
“During the incident, a dorm that housed 73 female students was gutted by fire, while another dorms that housed 54 females students and 84 male students were not affected.”
The school has a total of 334 students.
Student, Nur Anissa Karina Lukman, 16, recalling the incident said all her uniforms and personal belongings were also razed in the incident.
“Therefore, I am thankful for the assistance given to us and would use the money to buy new school appliances,” said the eldest from four siblings.