KUCHING: The Saujana Building along Jalan Masjid here will be demolished to make way for a major urban transformation centred on the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said a central ART station would be built in front of Gurdwara Sahib Kuching, making the place of worship part of the city’s new urban landscape.
“The next phase of development will involve the Saujana Building, which will be demolished to make way for modern buildings in the surrounding area extending towards Brooke Dockyard.
“A main station for the ART system will also be built in front of this area.
“This transformation will bring about an overall change to the landscape of the area,” he said when officiating the opening of the extended building of Gurdwara Sahib Kuching here today.
Abang Johari said plans to transform the area had been discussed as early as 2013 and 2014, before being pursued further after he became Chief Minister in 2017.
He said the Sarawak Government had also supported the expansion of Gurdwara Sahib Kuching by providing government-owned land and a RM5-million contribution to facilitate the construction of the extension building.
He added that the close relationship between the Sarawak Government and the Sikh community reflected the community’s longstanding contributions to the state’s development.
Although relatively small in number, the Sikh community had made significant contributions in medicine, healthcare, law and social services, benefiting society as a whole, he said.
Abang Johari said the history of the Sikh community in Sarawak was closely linked to security services in the past, while its contributions today continued through various professional fields and community activities.
He said Gurdwara Sahib Kuching served not only as a place of worship but also provided classroom facilities and gathering spaces, while organising social programmes such as blood donation drives that benefited people of all races.
