‘Works on complex, centre must start in Sept’

KUCHING: Physical works on the Serian Division administrative complex and conference centre must start this September, said Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong.

He pointed out even Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg had expressed his desire to see these projects begin and be completed as soon as possible.

“The Chief Minister, who came to perform the earth- breaking ceremony (in April), told me

The Chief Minister, who came to perform the earth-breaking ceremony (in April), told me the construction must start this September.

the construction must start this September.

“The previous chief minister, the late Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem, approved these projects ( last year).

“The elevation of Serian into a division was the result of our efforts for the past six to seven years,” he said at the Serian Resident Office’s appreciation and goodwill dinner at a hotel here on Saturday night.

The Serian conference centre – the first of its kind for an administrative division – and the adjacent Serian Division Administrative Complex, costing about RM200 million, are both being developed by Sarawak Incorporated Sdn Bhd on a 32acre site near the present Serian Resident and District Office building.

At present, site clearing work and other related works are ongoing at the project site.

Manyin, who is Tebedu assemblyman, said the administrative complex will house all the government departments and agencies which currently do not have permanent offices in Serian.

He also said the Serian conference centre will be the biggest among the divisions in the state, although the capacity of its hall has been reduced to accommodate up to 1,500 people instead of the original capacity of 2,000 people.

He was also happy to announce that the government had approved RM20 million to build a cablestayed bridge styled after the one in Putrajaya, as the latest tourist attraction for Serian.

“When all these are completed, Serian will have a totally new look compared to the present,” he added.

On another matter, Manyin hoped the Serian Resident Office will focus on efforts to uplift the living standard of the people there.

He expressed his wish to see more land developed for commercial activities benefiting the people in Serian.

Meanwhile, Serian Resident Johnathan Lugoh said the unavailability of suitable office spaces for various government offices was among challenges currently faced by the Resident Office.

The dinner that night also doubled up as joint Gawai and Hari Raya celebration for staff members of the Serian Resident Office, Serian District Office and Tebedu District Office.

Excellent service awards, appreciation awards for retiring staff, best performance certificates and lucky draw prizes were also presented that night.

Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong, Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research