MIRI: An astronomy centre (pusat falak) in Bintulu Division is expected to start operating in the first quarter of next year.
Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi said that the construction of the centre has been fully completed.
“We in Sarawak actually see the need to ensure that we become an area that can be a point of reference for those from other states in the field of astronomy by establishing another bigger astronomy centre.
“The first one has been set up in Miri, and the second one will be in Bintulu. Insya-Allah, in another two or three years the Sarawak government is planning to build the Borneo Astronomy Centre located in Damai near the foot of Mount Santubong in Kuching.
“In other words, in Sarawak, we will have three astronomy centres in the future,” he said as reported by Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS) in a news report.
Earlier, Dr Abdul Rahman was speaking at the opening ceremony of the Miri Astronomy Centre ‘Street Falak’ Expo at Pusat Falak Miri here recently.
On another note, he said the expo organised by Sarawak State Mufti Department in conjunction with the department’s silver jubilee celebration was a very good platform to share with the community about astronomy which is closely related to science.
“This will also give exposure and enhance the knowledge of the young generation in this state about astronomy,” he said.
Meanwhile, also present were Sarawak Mufti Datuk Kipli Yassin, Sarawak Mufti Department director Mual Suaud, Miri Resident Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusuf, and Miri Division Temenggong Datuk Abdul Rahman Abang Fadzail.
