By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, April 8: Expansion works on the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) are set to begin this year, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
According to the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS), Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said hosting international conferences is among Sarawak’s key focus areas as a new source of economic growth alongside industries such as hydrogen and green energy.
He added that this is why the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) will be expanded to accommodate the arrival of international delegates.
“I’ve noticed that many meetings and conferences are held at BCCK, so we will expand BCCK, which can currently hold 5,000. The new building (BCCK 2) will have a capacity of 10,000.
“Combined with the existing BCCK, we will be able to accommodate 15,000 people at a time,” he said during the TVS Ramah Tamah Aidilfitri 2025 event held at BCCK here today.
The RM300 million project is expected to be completed before 2028.
At the same time, the Premier emphasised that infrastructure development is crucial to meet Sarawak’s ambition to become a global conference hub.
“This is what we must enhance to pave the way for Kuching to become a conference centre equipped with supporting infrastructure, including broadcasting,” he added.
He also noted that the new building will increase existing capacity and offer additional space, including exhibition halls for larger events, thereby putting Sarawak in a competitive position alongside other regional convention centres.
Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian; Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Sarawak Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Sarawak Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi; Minister for Women, Early Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development Sarawak Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah; Minister for Transport Sarawak Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin; Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki; Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs and UKAS) Datuk Abdullah Saidol; Deputy Minister for Utility Sarawak (Sarawak Energy and PETROS) Dato Ibrahim Baki; Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Economic Planning and Development) Dato Sri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel; Sarawak Media Group chairperson Dato Norhyati Ismail; and acting TVS chief executive officer Mohamad Sardon Zainal were also present. — DayakDaily
