MIRI: The first ever Orang Ulu Cultural Centre (OUCC) in the country will be constructed in Miri City with the objective to be a centre of Orang UIu cultural performances, events and an icon of the community unity.
The Federation of Orang Ulu Association of Sarawak Malaysia (Forum) advisor Datuk Gerawat Gala said the building plan for OUCC has been completed and endorsed by Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg for submission to State Planning Authority (SPA) for approval before tender for the OUCC could be issued.
“Construction works will start after award of tender/contract, the estimated construction period to complete the OUCC is 18 months from the date of award of contract,” he told Bernama adding that OUCC will be the latest tourism attraction for Miri City once completed.
Gerawat, who is deputy speaker for the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly said, the estimated timeframe of when the construction of the OUCC will commence is dependent on the date of approval of the OUCC by the SPA.
“The OUCC design combines the traditional Orang Ulu building design incorporating various Orang Ulu motives and also modern design to optimise utilisation of the building spaces partly for office as well as for formal functions,” he said.
In addition, he said the open spaces outside can also be used for cultural performances, traditional games and the landscape will also incorporate some traditional Orang Ulu crafts and motives too.
As for OUCC main attraction, he said, once completed will the building itself can be the centre of attraction which has both traditional and modern design, with Orang Ulu motives and artworks.
He said there is a possibility of a gallery showcasing towering Orang Ulu personalities as well as important Orang Ulu cultural and historical artefacts.
For the record, the construction of OUCC was given the nod after Abang Johari announced RM25 million allocation for building the centre with a piece of land has already been set aside during the closing of the seventh Orang Ulu Cultural Symposium on Nov 2018 and Abang Johari set a target of two years for the proposal to be materialised.
Forum comprises of nine Orang Ulu associations, namely the Sarawak Kayan Association, national Kenyah Association of Sarawak, Sarawak Lun Bawang Association, Rurum Kelabit Sarawak, Sarawak Tipun Penan Development Association, Sarawak Berawan Association, Saban Miri Society Association, Sarawak Lakiput Association and Sarawak Bisaya Association. – Bernama
