BY GABRIEL LIHAN & ELVINA TING
KUCHING: The Sarawak Government is prepared to invoke compulsory land acquisition if negotiations, to reclaim a parcel of federal land earmarked for the state’s proposed velodrome and future sports facilities, fail.
Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said the state has already secured in-principle approval from Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for the construction of the velodrome, with the proposed site identified adjacent to the Sarawak Sports Complex.
“The site has been identified and the proposal has been presented. The Premier has agreed in principle to the development of the velodrome,” he said during a press conference at Baitulmakmur Building II today.
Abdul Karim said the land in question was previously allocated for the relocation of the Sarawak Police Headquarters from Jalan Badruddin to Petra Jaya under earlier arrangements, but the relocation did not take place as planned.
He said the state had initially provided the land for the relocation exercise, but the arrangement later stalled when the federal government decided not to proceed with the move.
“As part of the earlier agreement, land was exchanged for the relocation of the police headquarters. But when the relocation did not take place, the situation changed,” he said.
Abdul Karim said discussions were ongoing regarding the status of the land, but stressed that Sarawak requires the site for long-term sports development, including the proposed velodrome and other facilities.
“If negotiations do not succeed, we will proceed with compulsory land acquisition under the Sarawak Land Code Section 47 and Section 48 because the land is needed for development purposes,” he said.
He added that the proposed development also includes additional sports facilities such as a rugby pitch and a driving range within the same area.
“We want to concentrate sporting facilities in one area. This will turn the Sarawak Sports Complex into a hub of activity and strengthen our ability to host major events,” he said.
Abdul Karim said consolidating sports infrastructure around the complex would support Sarawak’s ambition to become a regional sports powerhouse and improve readiness for major events, including future multi-sport games.
He also said the velodrome project is still in the planning stage, with costs yet to be finalised.
However, he estimated it could be about half the cost of building a full stadium, depending on final designs and approvals.
“Only when the plans are ready, approvals obtained, and contractors appointed will we know the exact cost,” he said.
