KUCHING: The city will be able to cater to a bigger crowd, especially for major events, when a new wing is added to the convention centre here.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said this is part of the state’s plan to build more meeting places.
“Tonight (Monday), we have decided to extend our convention centre.
“This will allow not only conventions, but also for exhibitions. (It will be) the right place for exhibitions in Kuching,” he said at the Association of Hotels (MAH) dinner here last Monday.
Abang Johari hence said he looks forward to the extension project to be completed by 2024.
“This is also because we are going to have a major convention here on hydrogen,” he said, while adding that he will be going to Japan to deliver a paper on hydrogen next month.
At the same time, he said that a new convention centre will also be built in Miri.
“There are calls for Sibu to have a convention centre too. But I said wait first, because we have to (focus) on the master plan for Sibu.
“Sibu is prone to flooding, and I have publicly said that Amsterdam is below the sea and Sibu is below the river.
“So, we want to build Sibu below the river just like Amsterdam, with the canal and all. And once that is built under our masterplan, then perhaps people will automatically come to Sibu,” he said.
Abang Johari said these are among the infrastructure that will be carried out but all these will require some time to implement and complete.
“This is an investment that we are going to invest – in the services sector,” he said.
