THE Sarawak government is exploring plans to preserve the old Siniawan police station as a heritage site and potential tourist attraction, while promoting Siniawan town as a tourism destination.
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan said his ministry, through the Sarawak Museums Department, is committed to identifying old buildings across the state with historical value for potential gazettement under the Sarawak Heritage Ordinance 2019, including the Old Siniawan Police Station.
“Under the ordinance, a building may be considered for gazettement if it was constructed before 1940 and possesses significant historical value.
“Any proposal to gazette a building such as the old Siniawan police station requires a detailed and comprehensive assessment involving multiple stakeholders,” he said.
Snowdan was responding to a question from Serembu assemblyman Miro Simuh during the question-and-answer session in the DUN today.
Earlier, Miro had asked if the ministry intend to develop the over 100-year-old Siniawan town police station into a Sarawak Police Museum as planned previously.
Snowdan said that the ministry will study the best methods to preserve and maintain the building and explore its potential as a tourist attraction.
“At present, the proposal is still under discussion and evaluation,” he added.
On promoting Siniawan as a tourism destination, Snowdan said that his ministry continues to support events such as the Siniawan Country Music Festival.
“The festival is listed under the Sarawak Tourism Calendar and receives grant support for its organisation,” he said.
