THE Sarawak government will refurbish the Kuching Civic Centre and upgrade other civic centres statewide to preserve their heritage and improve accessibility.
Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development of Sarawak (MYSED) Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the state remains committed to revitalising these iconic community halls amid changing trends.
He said the tower roofing of Kuching Civic Centre will be prioritised for safety reasons, with the Public Works Department (PWD) Sarawak overseeing the works.
“Completion is targeted for early 2026. The new design will integrate elements symbolic of Sarawak’s identity, complementing nearby landmarks like the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) building and Borneo Cultures Museum,” he said.
He said this during his ministerial winding-up speech at the august House today (May 27).
Abdul Karim said other civic centres in Sibu, Baram, Bau and Mukah are also undergoing upgrades, while those that are over 20 years old will be refurbished in phases.
He said these upgrades are meant to support local programmes and economic activities while preserving the state’s cultural infrastructure for future generations.
Abdul Karim noted that civic centres were envisioned as a unifying space to gather communities, share development ideas, and bridge communication between the government and the rakyat.
However, he noted its role has diminished in urban areas due to modern competition from hotels that offer better integrated event services.
“In places like Kuching, the current hall capacity is too small. There’s no escalator, and carrying things up the stairs is troublesome.
“We want to preserve it and retain its heritage value, but possibly in another form. There are suggestions to turn it into a youth development centre,” he said.
As for the currently dilapidated Kuching Civic Centre, he confirmed the Letter of Intent (LOI) has been issued and roofing works are expected to begin in June this year.
“We are just as concerned as anyone else. We do not want facilities under our purview to become hazardous to the public,” he said.
