KUCHING: The old State Legislative Assembly building here will be closed to the public by the end of the year to convert the premises into a new state arts performance centre.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said it is now in the final stage of planning and Chief Minister Datuk Patingi Abang Johari Tun Openg had agreed to the project.
“The consultants had visited many performance venues to renovate the building including Istana Budaya in Kuala Lumpur and the arts centre in Singapore,” he told reporters after presenting prizes to the winners of Malaysian Theatre Festival at Sarawak level here on Sunday.
Also present was National Arts and Culture Department director-general Tan Sri Norliza Rofli.
The three-storey building was built in 1973 and was officially used as the state assembly in August 1976 before moving to the new building in 2009.
Abdul Karim said works to upgrade building are expected to take one and a half to two years.
Meanwhile, at the award presentation, Persatuan Seni Persembahan Sifar emerged as champion with their performance entitled “Lautan Bernyanyi” after defeating 13 other theatre groups.
The group received RM3,000 cash and will represent Sarawak at the national level Malaysia Theatre Festival next year.
Kelab Seni Lakon Bau was runner-up with its performance “Dan Tiga Dara Terbang Ke Bulan” while the third prize went to Pertubuhan Teater Sanggar Kreatif Kuching with its performance entitled “Ngayau”.
The competition also saw the presentation of award to Pelakon Harapan Wanita which went to Nor Azura Morsidi, Pelakon Harapan Lelaki (Mahathir Nasir), Best Supporting Actress (Rossazuliana Muda), Best Supporting Actor (Malek Hassan).
The Best Actress was Nurnajwa Nadirah Saha, Best Actor (Jamshari Saili), Kumpulan Harapan (Grup Teater Ngongcong Junior), Best Scenography (Persatuan Seni Persembahan Sifar) and Best Director (Felix Agustus).
Also present were Tourism, Arts and Culture Assistant Minister Datuk Sebastian Ting, National Arts and Culture Department director-general Tan Sri Norliza Rofli and JKKN Sarawak director Abdul Mutalib Abdul Rahman. – Bernama
