By Amanda L
KUCHING, July 28: The Sarawak government plans to restore several heritage buildings in Kuching, with Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg identifying the former Post Office as one of the first projects under consideration.
Speaking to reporters after officiating at the opening of Wisma Elica today, he said the State is negotiating with the federal government to take over the former Post Office before restoring it while preserving its heritage value.
“We have heritage buildings, but we cannot simply rebuild them. We have to repair and renovate them.
“Once negotiations are completed, the former Post Office is one of the buildings we are looking at. We have to maintain its heritage value while renovating it,” he said.
Abang Johari said the restoration would draw inspiration from successful adaptive reuse projects such as Singapore’s Fullerton Hotel, formerly the General Post Office, and Kuala Lumpur’s Sultan Abdul Samad Building.
He also identified Darul Kurnia on Jalan Haji Taha and several heritage buildings along Ban Hock Road as having redevelopment potential.
For privately owned heritage buildings, he said any restoration would depend on the owners’ willingness, provided the buildings’ core structures remain intact in accordance with heritage regulations.
“If the owners want to renovate their buildings for a new purpose, why not? We encourage that. But the core structure of a heritage building cannot simply be altered,” he said.
Earlier, the Premier said Wisma Elica demonstrated how ageing buildings could be transformed into modern developments without losing their heritage character.
He said such projects complement Sarawak’s efforts to strengthen its services sector through investments in tourism, transport, healthcare and hospitality.
“We have many old buildings that can be transformed, just like what Datuk Bobby has done with this project. For our economy to grow, we must be creative and make full use of the strengths that we have,” he said. — DayakDaily
