By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 3: The Sibu Prison, a facility that has served Sarawak for over 100 years, is set to undergo a major transformation with a RM275.33 million upgrade, aimed at improving inmate rehabilitation, safety, and staff facilities.
The new prison is expected to be completed by February 2029 under a 36-month Design and Build contract.
Officiated the handover ceremony of the Letter of Acceptance (SST) for the project today, Works Minister Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi emphasised the urgency of modernising the facility.
“A building constructed in a bygone era still carries the heavy responsibility of maintaining security and rehabilitating inmates. Reform is no longer optional, it is an urgent necessity,” he said in a post shared on his social media.
Nanta disclosed that the new Sibu Prison is designed to accommodate up to 1,000 inmates, with a focus on creating a more humane, safe, and effective rehabilitation ecosystem.
Key expected outcomes include a 2.38 per cent reduction in recidivism rates, a 19 per cent decrease in prison overcrowding in Sarawak, and a 29 per cent increase in staff readiness thanks to sufficient quarters within the prison complex.
Nanta stressed to the contractor that the real responsibility begins now, warning that any delays would directly affect the public and taxpayers.
“We want this project completed on time or ahead of schedule, with no extensions of time (EOT), no project setbacks, and no compromise on site safety,” he said.
He also reminded the Public Works Department (JKR) project team to remain proactive and maintain a strong sense of urgency, adopting a “facilitate, don’t strangle” approach to ensure smooth project delivery in line with the aspirations of Malaysia Madani. — DayakDaily
