KUCHING: The Kuching Melanau Association is moving forward with plans to expand Wisma Melanau along Ong Tiang Swee Road to accommodate a wider range of activities and events for the local community.
Deputy Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh said the current area at Wisma Melanau can support the construction of a hall suitable for ceremonies like weddings and other public gatherings.
“The purpose of the construction is to ensure that the association continues to develop and grow like other ethnic associations which most of them already have their own facilities and infrastructures.
“If we look at the other races in Sarawak, their associations have developed their buildings and facilities.
“Of course we don’t want to miss out on providing facilities like this, so that these facilities can be used for the local (Melanau) communities to hold activities and at the same time improve the economy of the Melanau community not only in Kuching, but throughout Sarawak,” he told reporters at the Iftar Ramadan at Wisma Melanau, last night (Apr 5).
He expressed hope that funding for Wisma Melanau’s development would be approved by the state government once the proposal papers are finalised.
“If it is ready in terms of the proposal, the building concept, they (association) will submit the proposals to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg,” he added.
Regarding the timeline for construction, Len estimated that it would take at least four years to complete Wisma Melanau’s development, depending on the association’s planning and financial management capabilities.
“If you look from the commencement process to the implementation process later, (altogether) it may take at least four years, this also depends on the Kuching Melanau Association’s ability to plan, govern and steward their finances ,” he said.
Len also highlighted Wisma Melanau’s strategic location, which is within walking distance of Swinburne University and Borneo Medical Centre, making it an ideal hub for community activities.
“It is high time that we start the renovation process of Wisma Melanau, which is a strategic location to Swinburne University and Borneo Medical Centre.
“There are less than 10,000 Melanau (in Kuching), they may look like they are of other races but they turn out to be Melanau, so having facilities such as this in the future would gather them for activities such as this today,” he said.
At the ceremony, a total of 12 asnafs (underprivileged individuals) and nine students from the Nur Murni Kuching Welfare and Education Organisation received financial aid from the Sarawak Melanau Association.
Len also witnessed the handover of a cheque from the Sarawak Melanau Association amounting to RM1,000 to the Nur Murni Welfare and Education Organisation in Kuching.
