KUCHING: The ongoing flood mitigation project around Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) will continue with some adjustments to preserve the main structure of the old Nurses' Quarters heritage building at Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg.

This decision was made to balance flood management needs with heritage conservation efforts.

Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Economic Planning and Development), Dato Sri Dr. Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel said the area had been identified as a key location for the flood mitigation project due to its position on low-lying land that is frequently affected by flooding, especially during high tide.

"Initially, all structures in this area were planned for demolition to make way for the project.

"However, after considering the historical significance of the old Nurses’ Quarters, the state government has agreed to preserve the main structure of this building.

"As a compromise, part of the proposed retention pond will be relocated to a new site in the southeast section, subject to approval from the state planning authority,” he said during a press conference after a site visit to the Kuching Old Nurses’ Quarters here on Thursday.

He noted that this decision was made following a community-based approach where public feedback was considered.

The Sarawak Heritage Society (SHS) also welcomed the state government’s decision to prioritise heritage conservation while ensuring that flood management measures remain effective.

Meanwhile, Dato Sri Dr. Muhammad Abdullah said the old Nurses’ Quarters would be repurposed into ‘Anjung Kasih’, a temporary free accommodation facility for underprivileged families of patients receiving treatment at SGH.

“We have allocated a budget for the restoration of this building, but I feel that the amount is still insufficient.

“Perhaps we can apply for additional allocation from the government to ensure that this building can fully be utilised for this purpose,” he added.

The Sarawak Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) will oversee the implementation of the building restoration project. -UKASnews