By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Jan 7: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) will convene a panel of engineers next week to conduct a comprehensive structural assessment of buildings along Padungan, as part of efforts to have the historic street designated as a heritage street under the Old Kuching Smart Heritage (OKSHE) initiative.
MBKS Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng said Padungan, which is more than a century old, holds significant historical and cultural value and deserves protection and revitalisation as a living heritage area.
“Padungan itself is more than 100 years old. So we are looking into the overall structure of the buildings. Next week I’ll be gathering all the engineers to study Padungan and make sure everything is intact, before we apply for it to be recognised as a heritage street under OKSHE,” he said during a press conference announcing the 2026 Padungan Chinese New Year Reunion Street Festival at a restaurant in Padungan today.
OKSHE is a Sarawak government initiative aimed at revitalising and preserving Kuching’s historical areas and cultural heritage, while boosting local socio-economic activities through traditional arts, music, crafts and heritage trails.
Wee stressed that heritage conservation should go beyond preserving architecture alone.
“It is our duty to protect this heritage. But heritage is not only about buildings or architectural elements, it must have soul. A building with heritage must also be alive, with activities and businesses thriving inside,” he said.
To support the transformation, MBKS has already installed sufficient lighting throughout most parts of Padungan and deployed two advanced closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems equipped with facial recognition technology to enhance safety and security in the area.
The council has also prepared a detailed proposal for decorative lighting and landscaping, which will be presented to the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government for approval before being included in the budget.
Wee emphasised that community participation is crucial to ensuring the sustainability of the initiative.
“Without the participation of the community here, whatever effort the council puts in will not last. It will never be easy to start, but the council is always here to assist,” he said.
Located near Kuching’s “golden triangle” of five-star hotels, Padungan has strong potential to become a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists, he added.
“There was a time when this street was lively and vibrant. Now businesses are coming back, and our goal is to make Padungan a place that brings back memories and thrives into the night,” Wee said. — DayakDaily
