Handing over ceremony of the Sarawak Performing Arts Centre project site

We thank our Right Honourable Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg, Premier of Sarawak for having graced the handing over ceremony of the Sarawak Performing Arts Centre project site to the contractor recently.

The upcoming centre will be equipped with world-class technology aimed at attracting international artistes and creative industry players to organise their events here and this would in turn put Sarawak onto the world stage. It is one of the high priority projects that have been approved under the 12th Malaysia Plan under the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCP) and it will be implemented by the Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak.

In my welcoming speech, I have mentioned the main goal of this project is to drive the growth and development of the performing arts industry in Sarawak by building an international-class arena for the organisation of performing arts activities in Sarawak. Therefore, the need to renovate and upgrade the old State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Building is important to fulfill the needs of theatre lovers in the state since currently there is no special place provided for this purpose.

The centre will also provide facilities for the use of artists and the younger generation to hone their interests and talents in the arts, especially the creative industry and performing arts. 

The project scope involved the renovation, upgrading and interior design works to transform the old DUN Building into a performing arts centre complete with facilities such as theatre hall, theatre studio, multi-purpose hall, black box room and other related facilities. This project will also employ expert services for components of audio, visualisation, acoustics, lighting and state-of-the-art staging systems.

In addition, the Lapau building next to the old DUN Building will also be renovated and upgraded as a suitable banquet venue for the public to visit before attending the performance. The centre will be handed over to the Sarawak Arts Council (MSS) upon its completion, which is scheduled for the year 2027. The main role of MSS is to promote development programmes and arts activities in Sarawak with a focus on performing arts, visual arts, literature and virtual arts.”

Our ministry has been actively organising town hall sessions statewide in efforts to develop the creative industry. So far, we have organised town hall sessions in Kuching, Samarahan, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri divisions, with plans for such sessions in other divisions to be held in the near future. These sessions are aimed to share information and aspirations of stakeholders regarding the direction of the creative industry in Sarawak apart from announcing initiatives and programmes related to the creative industry carried out by the ministry.