By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, April 9: The RM71 million TEGAS Lodge Sarawak, a new hub for digital nomads and start-ups, is expected to go on tender within the next month or two.
Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh, who is also chairman of the Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Sarawak (TEGAS), said the facility will feature hostel-style accommodations, service apartments, and a multipurpose hall capable of hosting up to 1,000 participants.
“The design has already been approved by the Sarawak Planning Authority (SPA), and God willing, we will open it for tender within the next month or so, or up to six weeks.
“We expect the construction to take about 30 to 36 months to complete,” he told reporters when met at a Hari Raya gathering hosted by TEGAS at TEGAS Digital Village (TDV) here today.
TEGAS Lodge Sarawak will be built within the 20-acre TDV site. The existing village occupies 5 acres, leaving 15 acres for expansion. About 5 acres will be dedicated to the new lodge, while the remaining 10 acres will be developed into a park, creating a complementary green space for the digital hub.
Len Talif said while the lodge will not be ready in time for next year’s SEA Games, it will still provide Sarawak with a premier venue for future conferences, seminars, and digital entrepreneurship activities.
He added that the SEA Games will not affect the construction of the TEGAS Lodge Sarawak.
“In fact, it may even speed up the process, because Kuching now hosts many international events that attract foreign participants for seminars, conferences, symposiums, and performing arts. We don’t foresee any issues with the future use of the facilities,” he said.
Since its establishment in 2012, TEGAS has developed facilities including the TEGAS Digital Village in Kuching, as well as innovation hubs in Bintulu, Miri, and Batu Kawa. The agency works alongside other State initiatives, such as SDEC’s innovation hubs in Kapit and other regions, to strengthen Sarawak’s digital ecosystem and create opportunities for local youth to grow their businesses.
Also present at the event were TEGAS Board of Trustees’ deputy chairman Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, treasurer Datuk Snowdan Lawan, and members Datuk Ding Kuong Hiing, Dato Dennis Ngau, Abdul Yakub Arbi, and Friday Belik. — DayakDaily
