RANAU: The construction of Masjid Ar-Rahman here is expected to be completed by August this year.
The original mosque was damaged by a 6.0-magnitude earthquake in 2015.
Two years later, the Sabah government announced the rebuilding of a new one at a cost of RM11.15 million.
The new one is set to become the first earthquake-resistant and energy-efficient mosque in the state.
Ranau MP Datuk Jonathan Yasin said he is aware of the delay in completion, which had gone viral.
"This matter has indeed been directed to be expedited, even since I became an MP in 2018.
"There were constraints in work during the pandemic. But now the current status of this project has been approved with Extension of Time No.4 by the Sabah Public Works department until Aug 1, 2023," he said.
A Facebook post by Dino Leong went viral when he questioned the delay in mosque construction despite the lifting of Covid-19 movement restrictions.
In his post, he stated that the pictures of the mosque were taken on Dec 31, 2021, one month after the expected completion date.
"Every time Ramadan and Syawal arrive, this building can only serve as decoration and a sight for visiting worshippers.
"It is unable to serve any purpose and so far, we have only seen about 10 per cent of the changes since then, and we don't know where the mistake lies.
"It is time for the Muslim community in Ranau to intervene; we have waited too long for the completion process of the only symbol of strength for the Muslim community in Ranau," Leong added.