Kota Kinabalu: A 22-storey new Wisma Budaya (Cultural Heritage Building) to replace the existing rundown building is in the making at the same site along Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman in the heart of the city.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew announced this after witnessing the signing ceremony of a Financial Agreement between the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS) and Sabah Parks Board of Trustees and Sabah Tourism Board (STB) and Sabah Cultural Board (LKNS) at the Ministry’s Conference Room on Wednesday.
The signatories were the Permanent Secretary to KePKAS, Datuk Josie Lai, Director of Sabah Parks Board of Trustees, Datuk Dr Maklarin Lakim, Chief Executive Officer of STB, Julinus Jeffery Jimit, and General Manager of LKNS, Mackey Apison, who inked the document on behalf of their respective agencies.
“This is a landmark development as far as Sabah’s tourism and cultural sectors are concerned. We will soon demolish the old Wisma Budaya to make way for a modern structure, equipped with Information Technology (IT) and Audio-Visual (AV) facilities, among others.
“If everything goes well according to plan, the project should be completed, hopefully, within two years. When ready, KePKAS will be proud to have its own house.
It will move to the new premises which will also accommodate all the agencies under the Ministry,” Liew said, while suggesting that it be named Wisma Pelancongan & Kebudayaan.
Also present were Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Sabah Parks, Datuk Peter Lintar, Chairman of the Sabah Cultural Board, Dikin Hj Musah, and the Ministry’s Deputy Permanent Secretary 1, Mary Malangking.
