KUCHING: The upcoming construction of six new towers at the Sarawak State Mosque, also known as Masjid Jamek Negeri, is set to make history as Malaysia’s first mosque to feature six towers.
Sarawak State Mosque Welfare Trust Board (LAKMNS) chief executive officer Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang Julai said the towers will also utilise solar power as the primary source of electricity for the lighting system.
He said that the six new towers, each estimated to stand at 75m tall, are already included in the project plans and are awaiting approval from relevant authorities.
“The project is expected to commence early next year, with the current project cost ceiling set at RM25mil.
“The project plan will take about two months as we await confirmation from agencies like the Department of Civil Aviation and the Kuching North City Hall (DBKU).”
He told New Sarawak Tribune and Suara Sarawak this at the LAKMNS Gallery in Baitulmakmur II here on Thursday (June 27).
The initiative to build the six new towers was inspired by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, who drew architectural inspiration from the towers of the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Turkey and the Al-Masjid Al-Nabawi (Mosque of the Prophet) in Medina.
Discussing the design, Abdul Wahap disclosed that the towers would include office spaces and additional rooms for mosque management agencies.
He noted that the upgrade of Masjid Jamek is expected to become a significant tourist attraction in the state’s administrative area.
In addition to the new towers, he revealed that Kuching City Mosque will also undergo an upgrade with a focus on eco-friendly improvements.
“Enhancements such as creating more environmentally friendly restrooms, especially for person with disabilities (PwD), are necessary because we currently lack such facilities.”
The upgrade will also involve repainting the mosque, as the building has not been painted in a long time.
“We anticipate approving the project tender by the end of this month.”
Abdul Wahap noted that the initiative to upgrade Kuching City Mosque has received approval from the Department of Museums, as the building was recently gazetted as a heritage building.
