KUCHING, April 17: The state’s first floating mosque at the Kuching Waterfront will be a welcomed addition to several iconic landmarks at the city centre which will further boost tourism.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said the project which costs more than RM10 million bears architectural designs and elements influenced by mosques in Turkey, and could become a tourist attraction once it opens its doors to the public.
The mosque, with a capacity of some 1,000, is currently 60 per cent done and is expected to be completed this September.
“This floating mosque has unique architectural designs and will be different than other mosques that we have built. The mosque will have some design and architecture elements (similar) to those in Turkey,” he told reporters after a site visit to view the project’s progress today.
The floating mosque is situated along the waterfront and esplanade area at Gambier Street, surrounded by iconic city landmarks included the new State Legislative Assembly (DUN) building, Darul Hana Bridge, India Street Pedestrian Mall and St Thomas’ Cathedral. A kilometre away at the other end of the waterfront is the Tua Pek Kong Temple.
Abang Johari said the floating mosque project also included the expansion of the waterfront to connect with the Kuching Esplanade. Future projects will see the waterfront expanded towards Brooke Dockyard and the old state mosque.
“We have plans to further beautify the waterfront along both sides of the Sarawak River. At the new Sarawak DUN, we will build walkways and musical water fountains.
“The fountains will be able to put on a musical and lights display, which would be programmed for performances every few hours. This will be another attraction in the area, which would also benefit areas along Main Bazaar and Gambier Street, all the way to Market Street,” Abang Johari said.
He said completion of the musical water fountains has been targetted for September.
The chief minister added, a waterfront project will be built along the opposite bank of Sungai Sarawak from Kampung Sungai Bedil to Kampung Tanjung within the next two years.
The waterfront across river is situated along Kampung Boyan, connected with river jetties at the Astana (Sarawak Governor’s official residence) area. — DayakDaily
