By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Feb 21: The Sarawak Tourist Guides Association (SkTGA) is urging the restoration of two historic sites in Kuching—the observation tower at the Kuching Civic Centre and the front yard of the Kuching Old Court House.
SkTGA chairman Edwin Lim said these sites, once considered key tourism attractions, have fallen into neglect, prompting calls for urgent restoration.
“The 74-meter-tall observation tower, inaugurated on August 1, 1988, once offered a breathtaking panoramic view of the city.
“Unfortunately, years of neglect have turned it into a ‘white elephant,’ with malfunctioning twin lifts and abandoned rooftop facilities,” he said at a press conference at Telang Usan Hotel today.
Similarly, he highlighted that the front yard of the Kuching Old Court House, historically a ceremonial ground for the guard of honour during the opening of the Council Negri (now the Sarawak Legislative Assembly or DUN) under the Brooke and Sarawak governments, has been repurposed as a parking area despite its heritage status.
Lim argued that the space should be preserved as a public area where tourists can appreciate Kuching’s rich history and take unobstructed photographs, as parked cars often interfere with the site’s aesthetic value.
“I believe this site could be transformed into a destination similar to Dutch Square in Malacca, where visitors can admire its architecture and historical significance,” he added.
When asked whether tenants of the Kuching Old Court House premises pay to use the front yard as a car park, Lim described the issue as sensitive but acknowledged that such claims had been circulating for some time.
“Even if regulations currently allow its use as a parking area, the government has the authority to reconsider.
“This is a heritage site—it belongs to the country and the people, not individuals. If a law permits private use of a heritage space, it should be reviewed,” he stressed.
Lim confirmed that he had raised these concerns multiple times with Sarawak’s Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) during tourism stakeholder meetings. The most recent discussions took place in November at Raia Hotel and in July in Sarikei, yet progress remains stagnant.
“This is not just about these two sites. There is a long list of areas that need attention. But for now, we are focusing on getting the ball rolling with these key landmarks,” he emphasised.
As of now, Sarawak has 253 active tourist guides. – DayakDaily
