By Dayangku Hidayatul
KUCHING, May 30: Sarawak Scouts will soon have a new headquarters called Tun Openg Building complete with a four-storey hostel and expanded youth facilities, as part of a long-term plan to prepare future generations for leadership in the digital era.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the new building would serve as more than just an administrative centre for scouting activities.
“When Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom (Sarawak Scouts Council president) and his team met me to discuss the old building that had been destroyed by fire, I told them to just go ahead and build a new one.
“Of course, we must consider the costs involved. We will do our best to support the project,” he said when officiating the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Sarawak Scouts headquarters along Jalan Batu Lintang here today.
The new headquarters comes following the destruction of the former Sarawak Scouts building which was razed in a fire on Feb 6, 2024.
Abang Johari, who is also Sarawak Chief Scout, further said that the hostel will accommodate scouts from across Sarawak, providing them with a dedicated space to stay, exchange ideas, and discuss future challenges facing society.
“We have to prepare our young people for the future. The scouting movement must continue to develop leadership skills and help them adapt to a changing environment shaped by artificial intelligence (AI) and data,” he added.
According to Abang Johari, scouting has long played an important role in nurturing leadership, discipline, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
He also recalled from his own scouting experience when learning survival skills through outdoor activities, including hiking, rope-tying, and building fires.
“Scouting teaches us how to face challenges and find solutions. If you can solve the challenges before you, then you can survive and succeed,” he pointed out.
Abang Johari mentioned that the Sarawak government has committed an initial allocation of RM20 million for the project.
However, he acknowledged that the amount may not be sufficient as additional facilities, including a special gallery to preserve the history and legacy of scouting in Sarawak, are also being planned.
“RM20 million is certainly not enough. God willing, additional funding will be provided once we finalise discussions with the architects,” he said.
He said the new headquarters, hostel, campsite, and gallery would form part of a broader ecosystem to support youth development and create opportunities for young Sarawakians from different backgrounds to learn, collaborate, and grow together.
Also present were SSC president Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom, National Scouts Council vice president Dato Mohamad Safri Abdillah, Deputy National Chief Scout Commissioner Ahmad Sabri Saad, SSC vice president Jumaat Ibrahim, and Sarawak Chief Scout Commissioner John Lim Boon Beng. — DayakDaily
