PADAWAN: The Sarawak Government has allocated RM60 million to develop the new Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) office building at 12th Mile, Jalan Kuching-Serian.

Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said the funding was channelled under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) to commence two packages in the first phase of the MPP office construction.

“I was informed during discussions with Dato Ir Lo Khere Chiang and the consultants that the total cost of constructing the building is RM70 million.

“They had some funds but still required RM60 million, so I approved the allocation for the new building,” he said.

He said this when speaking to officiate the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the new MPP Office, here on Thursday.

According to Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari, the Sarawak Government will continue to seek additional funds as the project will involve five phases, while also meeting the future needs of the Serian District Council (MDS) and Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS), both of which intend to have their own office buildings.

“This (funding) is only for the first phase. Earlier, MPP Chairman, Tan Kai mentioned several phases, and to fulfil these demands, the Sarawak Government must increase its revenue.

“Alhamdulillah, Sarawak now has higher revenue, but more is still needed as we are undertaking many developments.

“This is just for Padawan, not yet including the requests from MDS Chairman, Dato Peter Minos in Serian and MPKS, where we have already agreed to build their own offices,” he added.

Earlier, Tan Kai revealed that the first phase of the project involves two packages, namely the site clearing works which began in July 2025, and the second package, set to commence in the second quarter of next year, covering the construction of the main nine-storey building, expected to take three years to complete.

Meanwhile, the second phase will see the construction of a two-storey public facility building, the third phase will include an open-air amphitheatre with a wetland pond, the fourth phase will involve building a festival market, and the fifth phase will focus on developing an integrated sports centre.

Also present were Sarawak Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian, Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil, Deputy Minister for Transport, Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability, Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, Stakan Assemblyman, Datuk Hamzah Brahim, Batu Kitang Assemblyman, Dato Ir Lo Khere Chiang, Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Sarawak (MPHLG), Datu Elizabeth Loh, and other distinguished guests. -UKASnews