KUCHING – The Sarawak government has always taken the administrative approach of prioritising the interests of all races in the state, said Chief Minister Datuk Abang Johari Openg today.
“The policy of our leadership is Sarawak-centred, not race-centred,” he said when speaking at a ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of Wisma Melayu Sarawak at Jalan Diplomatik here.
Johari said the construction of Wisma Melayu Sarawak is evidence of the inclusiveness encouraged by the state administration to provide facilities for all races, following the building approvals for Yayasan Kebudayaan Dayak and Persatuan Dayak Bidayuh Kebangsaan.
According to him, another building project for the Orang Ulu community is being planned and he expects its ground-breaking ceremony to be held in January.
Meanwhile, event organiser chairman Datuk Naroden Majais said Wisma Melayu Sarawak is a project by Amanah Khairat Yayasan Budaya Melayu Sarawak (AKYBMS), which represents the Malay residents in Sarawak as well as other Muslim communities such as Kedayan, Melanau, Vaie Segan, and Jati Miriek.
The construction of Wisma Melayu Sarawak on a 2.43ha site is the project’s first phase, with the second phase to be built on a 2.02ha site involving an office block, budget hotel and business space.
“Wisma Melayu Sarawak will have a multipurpose hall that can accommodate 2,000 people, Malay historical and cultural gallery, surau, function rooms, cafe, open stage, cultural garden and AKYBMS office. Construction is expected to take two years,” he said. – Bernama, December 10, 2020
