New Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building
Encyclopedia
The New Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building is the current state legislative complex of Sarawak
, located in Kuching
, Malaysia. It is the meeting place where state assemblymen from all over Sarawak
will meet and preside over debates and passing of laws.
The complex is located at the north bank of the Sarawak River
in between The Astana
, which is the official residence of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri
(Governor) of Sarawak
and Fort Margherita
.
The building was officially opened by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong
(King) of Malaysia, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin on 27 July 2009.
) roof of the new DUN complex is an iconic landmark for Sarawak.
The architecture of the new complex combines unique elements of Sarawak's heritage with state-of-the-art intelligent building automation systems, multimedia communication facilities, and environmentally friendly features. The new complex development covers and area measuring 172 acre (0.69605992 km²) near The Astana
(Governor's Residence) on the banks of Sarawak River
in Petra Jaya
, Kuching
. The new chamber can hold up to 108 members, each with their own office. It also has 142 seats for civil servants, 86 in the VIP gallery and 106 in the public gallery. Its architecture and design have meticulously taken into account the future needs of elected representatives.
The building is fully equipped with high-tech information and communication technology. This new DUN complex, perched on the promontory on the pristine bank of the Sarawak River and nestled between the Astana and Fort Margherita, has been described as one of the most beautiful buildings in Southeast Asia. The best view of the complex is from the Kuching Waterfront.
It is also a depiction of the state’s struggles and achievements over the years after gaining independence through the formation of Malaysia and as a multi-racial society. Reinforced by nine gigantic pillars and numerous arches, the building reflects the sovereignty of the people’s power as well as the support of all the races in the state.
The project is a joint-venture of Sarawak's leading construction companies - Bina Puri Holdings Bhd, PPES Works (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd and Naim Cendera Sdn Bhd. PPES Works (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd is 51% owned by KLSE
Main Board-listed entity, Cahya Mata Sarawak Berhad
, and 49% held by state-owned Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC). Meanwhile, Naim Cendera Sdn Bhd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Main Board of Bursa Malaysia
listed entity Naim Cendera Holdings Berhad.
“The expenses were in line with the grandeur of the ceremony, which was graced by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong
Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, the rulers as well as local and foreign dignitaries," said Datuk Awang Tengah
The state government also bought luxury cars for the ceremony which were later deployed for the use of various state ministries and government agencies. Approved permits were obtained from the Federal Government and the cars were bought from Brunei
at a reasonable price.
Sarawak
Sarawak is one of two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo. Known as Bumi Kenyalang , Sarawak is situated on the north-west of the island. It is the largest state in Malaysia followed by Sabah, the second largest state located to the North- East.The administrative capital is Kuching, which...
, located in Kuching
Kuching
Kuching , officially the City of Kuching, and formerly the City of Sarawak, is the capital and most populous city of the East Malaysian state of Sarawak. It is the largest city on the island of Borneo, and the fourth largest city in Malaysia....
, Malaysia. It is the meeting place where state assemblymen from all over Sarawak
Sarawak
Sarawak is one of two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo. Known as Bumi Kenyalang , Sarawak is situated on the north-west of the island. It is the largest state in Malaysia followed by Sabah, the second largest state located to the North- East.The administrative capital is Kuching, which...
will meet and preside over debates and passing of laws.
The complex is located at the north bank of the Sarawak River
Sarawak River
The Sarawak River is a river in Sarawak, Malaysia. It is an important source of water and transportation for the inhabitants in southwestern Sarawak...
in between The Astana
The Astana, Sarawak
The Astana is a palace in Kuching, Sarawak, on the north bank of the Sarawak River, opposite the Kuching Waterfront. It is the official residence of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak, the Governor of Sarawak...
, which is the official residence of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri
Yang di-Pertua Negeri
The Yang di-Pertua Negeri is the official title of the ceremonial heads of state of the Malaysian states without hereditary rulers, namely Penang, Malacca, Sabah and Sarawak...
(Governor) of Sarawak
Sarawak
Sarawak is one of two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo. Known as Bumi Kenyalang , Sarawak is situated on the north-west of the island. It is the largest state in Malaysia followed by Sabah, the second largest state located to the North- East.The administrative capital is Kuching, which...
and Fort Margherita
Fort Margherita
Fort Margherita is an old fort built in 1879 by Charles Brooke, Rajah of Sarawak situated in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. The fort is an important landmark and monument in Sarawak's history which goes back to the Brooke Dynasty. The fort, built in the style of an English castle, was designed to...
.
The building was officially opened by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong
Yang di-Pertuan Agong
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the head of state of Malaysia. The office was established in 1957 when the Federation of Malaya gained independence....
(King) of Malaysia, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin on 27 July 2009.
Overview
This nine-storey high building is the venue for future Sarawak's new state legislative assembly sittings. The distinctive "payung" (umbrellaUmbrella
An umbrella or parasol is a canopy designed to protect against rain or sunlight. The term parasol usually refers to an item designed to protect from the sun; umbrella refers to a device more suited to protect from rain...
) roof of the new DUN complex is an iconic landmark for Sarawak.
The architecture of the new complex combines unique elements of Sarawak's heritage with state-of-the-art intelligent building automation systems, multimedia communication facilities, and environmentally friendly features. The new complex development covers and area measuring 172 acre (0.69605992 km²) near The Astana
The Astana, Sarawak
The Astana is a palace in Kuching, Sarawak, on the north bank of the Sarawak River, opposite the Kuching Waterfront. It is the official residence of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak, the Governor of Sarawak...
(Governor's Residence) on the banks of Sarawak River
Sarawak River
The Sarawak River is a river in Sarawak, Malaysia. It is an important source of water and transportation for the inhabitants in southwestern Sarawak...
in Petra Jaya
Petra Jaya
Petra Jaya is a suburb of Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. This suburb was named after sixth Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Yahya Petra of Kelantan .- History :...
, Kuching
Kuching
Kuching , officially the City of Kuching, and formerly the City of Sarawak, is the capital and most populous city of the East Malaysian state of Sarawak. It is the largest city on the island of Borneo, and the fourth largest city in Malaysia....
. The new chamber can hold up to 108 members, each with their own office. It also has 142 seats for civil servants, 86 in the VIP gallery and 106 in the public gallery. Its architecture and design have meticulously taken into account the future needs of elected representatives.
The building is fully equipped with high-tech information and communication technology. This new DUN complex, perched on the promontory on the pristine bank of the Sarawak River and nestled between the Astana and Fort Margherita, has been described as one of the most beautiful buildings in Southeast Asia. The best view of the complex is from the Kuching Waterfront.
It is also a depiction of the state’s struggles and achievements over the years after gaining independence through the formation of Malaysia and as a multi-racial society. Reinforced by nine gigantic pillars and numerous arches, the building reflects the sovereignty of the people’s power as well as the support of all the races in the state.
Construction
The contract for the design, construction and completion of the new complex was valued at RM296.5 million. It was completed on 31 May 2009.The project is a joint-venture of Sarawak's leading construction companies - Bina Puri Holdings Bhd, PPES Works (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd and Naim Cendera Sdn Bhd. PPES Works (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd is 51% owned by KLSE
Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange
The Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange dates back to 1930 when the Singapore Stockbrokers' Association was set up as a formal organisation dealing in securities in Malaya...
Main Board-listed entity, Cahya Mata Sarawak Berhad
Cahya Mata Sarawak Berhad
Cahya Mata Sarawak Berhad , which literally means "the light of Sarawak's eye" in the Malay language or "Cahya Mata" also means "the child of", is a major company in Sarawak, Malaysia...
, and 49% held by state-owned Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC). Meanwhile, Naim Cendera Sdn Bhd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Main Board of Bursa Malaysia
Bursa Malaysia
Bursa Malaysia is an exchange holding company approved under Section 15 of the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007. It operates a fully integrated exchange, offering the complete range of exchange-related services including trading, clearing, settlement and depository services.- History :Bursa...
listed entity Naim Cendera Holdings Berhad.
Opening Ceremony
The Sarawak State Assembly complex’s opening in July cost the state government more than RM1mil – and nearly half of the amount went to organising a river float parade and fireworks. Second Minister of Planning and Resource Management Datuk Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said RM581,179 was spent on the ceremony and RM437,250 on the river float parade and fireworks display at night.“The expenses were in line with the grandeur of the ceremony, which was graced by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong
Yang di-Pertuan Agong
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the head of state of Malaysia. The office was established in 1957 when the Federation of Malaya gained independence....
Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, the rulers as well as local and foreign dignitaries," said Datuk Awang Tengah
The state government also bought luxury cars for the ceremony which were later deployed for the use of various state ministries and government agencies. Approved permits were obtained from the Federal Government and the cars were bought from Brunei
Brunei
Brunei , officially the State of Brunei Darussalam or the Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace , is a sovereign state located on the north coast of the island of Borneo, in Southeast Asia...
at a reasonable price.