BY CLEMENT ERIK WONG & NOOR SYAHHIRA HADY
KUCHING: The construction of the Sarawak Science Centre has been delayed.
Education, Science and Technological Research Minister Datuk Amar Michael Manyin Jawong, in revealing this, said the delay was mainly due to the travel restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said experts from the Singapore Science Centre, consultant for the science centre, were unable to come to the state to work alongside the architects on the designs of the centre.
“That’s the problem. Otherwise, we would have already started,” he said after launching a book entitled ‘Model Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (Stem) Industrial Revolution 4.0 Middle Phase’ at the Teacher Education Institute Batu Lintang Campus here on Wednesday (Oct 28).
Manyin said the Singapore Science Centre had agreed to become the consultant for the science centre and that the agreement would have been signed at any time if not for the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Unfortunately, they cannot come here and we cannot go there (Singapore),” he added.
He also said that the centre would have hostels as part of its design.
“This is to cater to the rural public so that they can stay there for a few nights,” he explained.
Manyin explained that the centre aimed to instill awareness and interest in science among students and the general public.
“There will be a lot of exhibits there. When the public visit the centre, they will see a connection between real life and science and that will develop an interest in science,” he added.
The centre, located on 10.8 acres in Petra Jaya, is scheduled to be completed in 2024. It was launched on Oct 1 this year by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
