Sarawak Performing Arts Centre retains the identity of old DUN building

KUCHING, Oct 2: Most of the original design and elements of the old Sarawak State Assembly (DUN) building will be preserved after being converted into the Sarawak Performing Arts Centre to preserve the historical value of the five-decade-old building.

Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said among the elements that will be maintained are wooden panels as well as a golden glass mosaic roof which is one of the building's identities.

He said the effort was essential to ensure that the original features of the building remain visible even though it went through upgrades and functional changes.

"The golden glass roof is maintained to maintain the aesthetic value of the building and I don't want it replaced with spandek-type roofs that can alter the identity of the original building", he said after reviewing the construction site of Sarawak Performing Arts Centre, here today.

Abdul Karim said the building has its own historical value as it was once the location of the DUN Sarawak conference and also holds various memories among the people.

"The building is more than five decades old and has its own historical value as a former DUN Sarawak building, besides keeping various memories for those who used it", he said.

He said the process of upgrading old buildings is more challenging than building new ones because existing structures have to be taken into account in their design and implementation.

He said a balance between old and new elements would be applied to allow modern facilities to be provided without removing the original identity of the building.

Meanwhile, Abdul Karim said a small gallery could be created to display the history of the building, including photos and materials related to its historical journey.

He said a coffee table book was also planned to be published after the complex is completed as a historical documentation and story behind the old DUN building.

"The gallery that will be created after the building is completed will later be a container for documenting history and stories related to this building", he said.