KUCHING: The tender for the upgrading of the old State Legislative Assembly (DUN) at Petra Jaya will be out by the end of the year.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said on Friday his ministry had a briefing with Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Open and was given the green light to proceed with the plan.
“Everything is in order and we have been given the green light to proceed. Tendering process will be done probably by end of this year.
“The renovation of the old DUN building into a centre of performing arts would make it into an iconic building and is the pride of Sarawakians and art activists,” he said at the Sarawak Arts Council (SAC) Board of Directors appreciation dinner at a leading hotel on Friday
Karim noted that the upgraded building is expected to be completed and fully operational in the next three years (by 2023).
Two weeks ago, Abang Johari said the Sarawak government would spend over RM200 million to upgrade the building. It will have a big theatre and a small one equipped with modern technology as well as recreational spaces.
On the dinner, Karim who is the Board of Directors chairman expressed his appreciation to the outgoing board members, namely Tourism, Arts and Culture Assistant Minister Datuk Sebastian Ting Chew Yew (2019-2020), State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion (2017-2020), Association of Malay Importers and Traders of Motor Vehicles Malaysia (Pekema) Sarawak chairman Tan Sri Datuk Seri Abang Khalid Abang Marzuki (2017-2020), and Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) chairman Dennis Ngau (2017-2020).
Meanwhile, five new board members have been appointed for the next three years (2020-2023) namely, Marzuki Tambi, Dr Saie Dris @ Saiee Dris, Chan Lay Na, Georgina Apphia Ngau and Associate Professor Dr Musdi Shanat.
The reappointed board members include Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry’s permanent secretary Hii Chang Kee, Tun Jugah Foundation research director Dr Robert Menua Saleh, Slyvester Wielding Jusem, Dr Geraldine Law Lee and Donald Tan.
He hoped that the new board members will work together closely with the reappointed board members to lift the name of Sarawak Arts Council.
Also present at the dinner was Sarawak Arts Council chief executive officer Sharkawi Amit and head of departments.
