The Youth, Sport, and Entrepreneur Development Ministry has begun planning and initiated an Action Plan to ensure that the Kuching Civic Centre, an iconic building in town, shines again.
Its Minister, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said a lab was recently conducted to discuss and provide feedback not only on repairing and refurbishing the building but also on the type of business model to ensure it has a beneficial impact on all parties.
Participants in the discussion included the Public Works Department (PWD), Land and Survey Department, consultants, Fire and Rescue Department, and other relevant agencies.
“We are very serious and concerned about the condition of Kuching Civic Centre, which used to be an icon of the city once upon a time,” he said when delivering his ministerial winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here today (Nov 28).
Meanwhile, he mentioned that his ministry is also addressing the condition of Sibu Civic Centre, which was severely damaged in the storm this April.
“The storm that hit Sibu has damaged a large part of the building, involving the roof, glass windows, doors, and leaking. At the same time, the building is unsafe for the public,” he said.
Consequently, his ministry has recently conducted a site inspection meeting in Sibu with the Sarawak Dewan Suarah Fund Direction Management committee members, PWD, Treasury Department, State Financial Secretary Office and other relevant agencies to identify areas for major refurbishment work and cost estimation.
As of October 2023, he reported that a total of RM7.7 million has been allocated to PWD for various scopes of work for Civic Centres in Sarawak, including painting, flooring, toilet repairs, roofing, ceiling, procurement of furniture and fittings, other associated building works, and mechanical and electrical works.
For the record, works on Bintulu, Sarikei, and Limbang Civic Centres will be completed before the end of this year, while Samarahan and Baram Civic Centres are still under tender evaluation.
