SABAH artists displaced from Laman Seni in Kota kinabalu will soon have alternative spaces to continue their businesses, said Sabah Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew.
Liew assured that her ministry, through the Sabah Cultural Board, is working to resolve the situation after 10 artists operating at the site were asked to vacate.
The artists, some of whom have been selling their work at Laman Seni since 2016, had called for the minister’s intervention via a letter sent on January 9.
“I have not personally seen the letter, but I’ve spoken to the cultural board, and they are already looking into finding alternative spaces for the artists to operate,” she told reporters after hosting the ministry’s Chinese New Year luncheon with the press.
Laman Seni, a 16-lot creative hub in Kota Kinabalu adjacent to Wisma Budaya, has long served as a platform for local artists to showcase and sell their artwork.
However, both Laman Seni and Wisma Budaya, which are operated by the Sabah Cultural Board, will be affected by redevelopment plans.
Wisma Budaya has been declared unsafe, and the ministry plans to demolish and rebuild it to serve other tourism and cultural purposes.
As a result, Laman Seni will also be impacted, leaving the artists in limbo.
It is understood that the artists will be relocated to Balai Seni near Penampang, which will serve as their new venue.
“We are committed to supporting local talents and will ensure they have suitable venues to continue their activities,” Liew added, emphasizing her ministry’s dedication to fostering Sabah’s arts and cultural scene.
Artists have expressed relief at the assurance, hoping the government’s intervention will mitigate the disruption caused by the closure of the popular hub. - January 16, 2025.
