KUCHING: The Melanau community is set to see a significant milestone with the construction of a new Melanau community house, known as Lebok Melanau, expected to be completed by 2027.
The announcement was made by Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment, Datuk Len Talif Salleh, at the ‘Majlis Ramah Tamah Hari Raya Aidilfitri Lembaga Amanah Kebajikan Kaum Melanau Sarawak 2026’ event held at Akademi Kastam DiRaja Malaysia (AKMAL) Sarawak branch here today.
Lebok Melanau, which will be built adjacent to Wisma Melanau, here is partly funded by contributions from the Melanau community itself.
Len expressed hope that the facility would serve as a gathering place for the Melanau people and the broader public to interact and carry out community activities.
“With the construction of Lebok Melanau, it will help the Melanau people to carry out activities for the benefit of the Melanau people and also to prove how we can cooperate with other people,” he added.
Regarding Wisma Melanau, he confirmed that the historic main building will be preserved as part of a larger redevelopment project.
The building holds significant historical value, having been inaugurated by late Sarawak Governor, Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.
“We want to preserve that history so that the young people will understand the struggle of previous leaders,” he said.
The redevelopment plan envisions the new complex housing a hotel, service apartments and commercial business spaces, while retaining the original building as a heritage feature.
The state government has allocated approximately RM55 million for the project.
However, Len acknowledged that rising construction costs may require additional funding, stressing the importance of accelerating the project to avoid further cost escalation.
On procedural progress, he confirmed that approval has been obtained from the relevant authority, with documentation and formal signing processes currently underway.
