KUCHING: The renovation of the Sarawak Performing Arts Centre, inspired by the Royal Albert Hall in London, is expected to become a new landmark in Sarawak’s arts and culture industry.
Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg stated that this project involves building renovations costing approximately RM200 million and landscape upgrading worth around RM60 million, with an expected completion by 2027.
According to him, this performing arts centre is one of the infrastructures to promote and boost the tourism and service industry in Sarawak.
"The architectural design of this building is inspired by the Royal Albert Hall in London, as well as another one in the United States of America.
"This means that those who perform here do not need to bring microphones because everything is in-house and can be heard from every side.
"So this means that the performing arts centre meets international standards, and we can bring international artists to perform here.
"And usually, these art enthusiasts have followers and fans where fans can come here.
"This is a reason for us to further strengthen the tourism industry because by then we already have our own airlines,”he said.
He said this when met by reporters after officiating the Launching and Handover Ceremony of the Performing Arts Centre Project Site at the compound of the Old State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Building here, on Thursday.
Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari added that the centre will impact the local arts and culture industry, where it will serve as a platform to strengthen local talents through exposure to performances and learning from international artists.
To achieve this goal, it is important to maintain international standards in the development of the arts centre to attract interest and support from various parties, he said.
Also present were Sarawak DUN Speaker, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar, Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Sarawak Deputy Ministers for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew and Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and UKAS), Datuk Abdullah Saidol, Permanent Secretary to the Sarawak Ministry for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datu Sherrina Hussaini, and other distinguished guests. -UKASnews
