KUCHING: Claims of slow progress on the Kuching Civic Centre upgrading works do not reflect the actual situation on the ground, with the project said to be ahead of schedule, said Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
The Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts said major components of the upgrading works, including the roofing, have already been completed, while other improvement works are still ongoing at the site.
“It is easy to come up with a general statement that it is slow, but what is more important is that work is actively taking place on the ground,” he said.
He added that the project involves complex structural challenges due to the design of the building, which makes certain repair works more difficult and costly.
“That structure (Kuching Civic Centre) is not like any normal structure. It’s like a shuttlecock,” he said in a press conference today.
He said past issues, including damage to the roofing caused by strong winds, had also highlighted the need for urgent upgrading works to ensure safety.
Abdul Karim, who is also Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, stressed that the project has been expedited and is currently progressing according to schedule, based on updates from the relevant officials.
“As far as the ministry that oversees this project, I am very, very happy that something is going on. I would say it is already fast, not slow. It is ahead of schedule. The contractor is ahead of time,” he added.
He also noted that some parts of the project had been delayed in the past due to budget approvals, but assured that work is now moving forward steadily.
Once completed, he said the Kuching Civic Centre is expected to become an iconic landmark and a more vibrant public venue in the city.
Abdul Karim added that the upgrading works will also address long-standing issues such as lift functionality and overall accessibility within the building.
For the record, the ongoing upgrading works at the Kuching Civic Centre include a RM5-million allocation for the re-roofing of the main tower, with the project scheduled for completion in the first quarter of this year.
