By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, June 16: The long-awaited Sarawak Performing Arts Centre is expected to be completed by the end of 2026 or early 2027, with its RM300 million State-funded infrastructure poised to become one of Malaysia’s most prominent cultural landmarks.
Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan said the centre will serve as a dedicated space for artists, musicians, and performers to nurture and showcase their talents.
“This will be a centre of excellence for the arts, a bold investment in Sarawak’s creative talent, tourism, and the future of performing arts,” he said during the closing ceremony of the Sarawak International Choral Festival and Symposium (SICFest & SICSym) 2025 at Hikmah Exchange Event Centre here yesterday (June 15).
He added that the new facility will further strengthen Sarawak’s standing as a regional hub for cultural tourism, a vision already taking shape through internationally recognised events such as SICFest & SICSym.
“Recently, Kuching has come alive with joyful harmonies, energetic rhythms, and moving performances. The artistic spirit of the State deserves praise,” he said.
Snowdan also extended his appreciation to Festival Director Benedict JC Lo, Artistic Director Susanna Saw, and the organising committee from the Kuching Choral Society for successfully staging an international-level event, which featured choirs and adjudicators from Austria, Germany, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia.
Highlighting the significance of such events in nurturing future generations of musicians, Snowdan said seeing children and youth perform on stage was a powerful reminder of why continuous investment in the performing arts is essential.
“They are the future of global understanding and unity,” he stressed, encouraging all participants to return to Sarawak in future editions, bringing with them more choirs, more music, and more joy.
“Let’s continue to bring Sarawak to the world and the world to Sarawak,” he urged passionately.
SICFest & SICSym 2025 is Kuching’s premier international event bringing together choirs, vocal educators, and music enthusiasts from around the globe.
Organised by the Kuching Choral Society with support from the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Sarawak, the festival featured choral performances, competitions, masterclasses, and workshops led by renowned international adjudicators and conductors. — DayakDaily
