The Kuching Old Nurses’ Quarters will be renamed as Anjung Kasih Juma’ani as the facility located along Jalan Crookshank starts restoration and reconstuction works.
It is believed the name was chosen to honor the late Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, who was the late wife of Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Anjung Kasih Juma’ani is a collaboration between the Sarawak Government and the Ministry of Health (MOH), aims to provide a “home away from home” for those traveling from rural areas to support their loved ones undergoing medical treatment in the city.
The Sarawak government is committed to maintaining the heritage status of the old quarters while upgrading the interior to house 124 beds.
By repurposing this landmark, the state ensures that the architectural history of Jalan Crookshank remains intact while serving a vital social purpose.
Renovation works officially commenced in February 2026 with Deputy Minister of Health Dato’ Hajjah Hanifah Hajar Taib confirming that the facility is expected to be fully operational by June 2027.
Once completed, Anjung Kasih Juma’ani will offer:
- 124 beds for temporary stay.
- Free-of-charge accommodation for underprivileged families.
- Internal facilities supported by the National Welfare Foundation (YKN).
Addressing a Longstanding Need
Anjung Kasih Juma’ani will ‘kill two birds with one stone’ as it will not only restore the historic facility to it’s old grand self, but also resolve longstanding issues related to outstation families.
For years, many families from outside Kuching have had to resort to sleeping in hospital hallways or even their cars due to the high cost of hotels.
Minister of Women, Family, and Community Development, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, previously highlighted that this project is a critical response to these challenges.
The Anjung Kasih initiative doesn’t stop at Kuching as there are ongoing plans by the federal government to expand similar facilities to more rural regions across Sarawak.
Previously, it was made known that only a fraction of the Old Nurses Quaters would be demolished to make way for irrigation facilities with a large chunk of the quaters restored and repurposed.
