Padungan marks 100 years with heritage murals, conservation efforts

KUCHING (Feb 12): Padungan is regarded as a heritage corridor that must be preserved with care, responsibility, and technical diligence, said Kuching South mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng.

He said the council has, over the years, taken concrete steps to enhance, protect, and modernise the historic area while maintaining its architectural character and cultural identity, in line with efforts to safeguard Padungan’s legacy as it marks its 100th anniversary.

“One of the key landmarks at Jalan Padungan is the Second World War memorial clock tower.

“The Kuching South City Council (MBKS) restored the replica of its four commemorative plaques with careful attention to historical accuracy and material integrity to ensure that the monument continues to stand as a respectful reminder of our past,” he said during the launch of seven heritage murals in conjunction with Padungan’s 100 years.

The launch was officiated by State Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

Wee added that the council has also enhanced decorative lighting along the Padungan Arch, installed AI-enabled CCTV cameras to improve public safety, and upgraded public toilet facilities to ensure hygiene, comfort, and accessibility for visitors.

He said MBKS has established the Padungan Heritage Conservation Task Force, which has already convened its first meeting.

“This task force brings together technical agencies and professional bodies including the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Old Kuching Smart Heritage (OKSHE), Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM), Public Works Department (JKR) and the Museum Department.

“Our focus is on the 100-year heritage shophouses in Padungan. These buildings are architectural records of a particular era, reflecting early urban design, craftsmanship, and cultural adaptation.

“Through the Task Force, we are studying structural integrity, façade preservation, adaptive reuse guidelines, and appropriate conservation approaches to ensure that restoration works respect original design elements while meeting current safety requirements,” he said.

Beyond physical conservation, Wee said MBKS is proposing a structured Heritage Mural Trail in collaboration with Kuching North City Commission (DBKU), linking murals from India Street to Padungan to form a connected cultural corridor.

“Visitors will not only view art but walk through history. Each mural becomes a chapter in a larger narrative about migration, enterprise, craftsmanship and community spirit,” he said.

On the launch of the seven heritage murals, Wee said the occasion was not merely about unveiling public art but about celebrating a century of history, diversity, and human resilience.

“The seven murals launched today mark an important milestone in this larger vision.

“They strengthen our heritage identity and reinforce Padungan as a key cultural anchor within the city,” he said.

Meanwhile, mural artist Leonard Siaw described the project as both an honour and a profound responsibility.

“When I was first invited to draw these seven murals, my first thought was not about the walls or the paint. It was about responsibility.

“Padungan is not just a street. It carries one hundred years of memories, struggles, hopes and lives,” he said.

He thanked Wee for entrusting him with the project, saying the initiative was not simply about beautifying a street but about honouring the migrant communities whose trades and sacrifices shaped Padungan.

He also expressed appreciation to Abdul Karim for his leadership in advancing tourism and the creative industry, noting that such support gives artists confidence that their work plays a meaningful role in shaping the city’s identity.

“As an artist, I do not simply paint images. Every stroke on these murals carries meaning. Each line represents hard work. Each colour reflects sacrifice,” he said, adding that he often reflected on the footsteps of early traders while working alone on the walls.

The seven murals, he said, are his way of expressing gratitude to the generations who built Padungan and to those who supported the project.