By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Aug 28: Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) will soon have a new RM70 million headquarters at Mile 12, Jalan Kuching-Serian, designed as a modern, people-friendly and green civic hub.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, who officiated at the earth-breaking ceremony today, said the new office complex signifies Padawan’s strategic role in Kuching and Serian’s development.
He recalled MPP’s origins as the Kuching Rural District Council (KRDC), whose first office was located where Bank Negara now stands along Jalan Satok.
“Later, the office moved to its current site due to the expansion of the Padawan area, based on a masterplan introduced by the late Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud (former Sarawak Chief Minister) for Padawan’s development.
“Now, we are moving again to a better and larger location, with a bigger building that can accommodate all the services MPP must deliver to the community,” he said.
Abang Johari expressed pride in how Kuching has transformed over the years, even impressing visitors who return after several years to see a cleaner, friendlier city with top-class services.
Meanwhile, MPP chairman Cr Tan Kai said the nine-storey complex, funded mainly through a RM60 million grant from the Sarawak government under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), will replace the existing office at Kota Padawan, which has been in use since 1991.
He added that the remaining RM10 million will be covered by MPP through its own financial allocation, while also crediting former chairman Dato Lo Khere Chiang for initiating the project during his tenure.
The project forms Phase 1 of a five-phase masterplan for the 20-acre site, inspired by the Hornbill, Sarawak’s State Bird, in its design and layout.
Ground works began in July 2025, while the main building construction is scheduled to start in the second quarter of 2026, with completion expected within three years.
Future phases will include a public amenities building, an open-air amphitheatre with a wetland pond, a festival market, and an integrated sports centre.
The new MPP office is also designed to achieve Green Building Index (GBI) certification with features such as energy-efficient systems, rainwater harvesting and sustainable materials.
It will join the ranks of other Sarawak government buildings with GBI certification, including Sarawak Energy headquarters, Borneo Cultures Museum, Miri City Council, University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) and Satria Pertiwi.
Also present were Deputy Premier and Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian; Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government I (Public Health and Housing) Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil; and the Ministry’s permanent secretary Datu Elizabeth Loh.
– DayakDaily
