By Lian Cheng and Christopher Bishop
KUCHING, July 4: Construction of the new Astana will commence soon, says Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
He said the site for the new Astana has been identified, while the plan has been finalised.
“I agree and support the plan to build a new Astana. This is because the current Astana structure is run down,” he told the media during Majlis Anugerah Seniman Sarawak 2023 press conference held at Bangunan Baitulmakmur here today.
Abdul Karim added that the project will be implemented by the Sarawak Premier’s Office.
When it is completed, he said, it will be another structure which Sarawakians will be proud of due to its allure and unique design.
“In the future, we will turn the old Astana into a museum for artifacts related to the Governor of Sarawak,” he said.
The new Astana is scheduled to be built on a site between Jalan Astana Lot and Sarawak Botanical Garden.
DayakDaily broke the news on June 30 quoting a reliable source that a new Astana will be built on the plot of land between Jalan Astana Lot and Sarawak Botanical Garden.
This is because the existing more-than-a-century old Astana building which was built in 1870, has been suffering from wear and tear and is no longer a conducive living space.— DayakDaily
