By Balqis Jazimah Zahari
IPOH: An amount of RM500,000 is needed to repair the St John Ambulance Malaysia (SJAM) Perak headquarters building on Jalan Raja Musa Aziz here.
SJAM Perak State Commissioner,
Tan Beng Lee, said they are currently working hard to raise the funds required to upgrade the 66-year-old historic building, particularly its triangular-shaped main hall.
“This effort follows an inspection of the main hall and surrounding buildings, where the main wooden structure was found to be rotting due to termite damage and roof leaks.
“This is very concerning for the headquarters management,” he said during a press conference at the SJAM Perak headquarters here recently.
Beng Lee said that this effort is made for the safety of all users of the main hall and the headquarters building.
“All these efforts are carried out for the safety of every user of the main hall and the headquarters building.
“Especially SJAM members who are actively involved in training courses, and various events,” he said.
According to him, by the end of last year, the committee had conducted a detailed inspection of the main hall and surrounding buildings.
“It was found that the building is unsafe for use if the rotting wooden structure and roof leaks persist.
“An estimated RM500,000 is required to repair and upgrade the building, including all relevant facilities.
“Therefore, St John Perak is seeking donations from the community and government for these repair works,” he said.
The St John Ambulance movement began in Ipoh in 1946 without a permanent office and used St. Michael’s Institution premises for its activities.
The headquarters was officially opened by the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Yussuf Izzuddin Shah, on July 16, 1958.
