MIRI: Miri Old Resident Office will be renovated and converted into a cultural and heritage museum, said Assistant Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin.
“Preliminary works on the old office worth RM450,000 will include interior partitioning.
“The funds have been allocated to MCC (Miri City Council) and a committee will be formed for the museum to acquire contributions from the community.
“We hope to open part of the museum by early next year,” he said after chairing a meeting to monitor the projects planned for the 11th Malaysia Plan (RMKE-11) here.
Lee said a total of 10 projects had been approved.
“A total of RM15mil has been allocated for three projects within and around Miri.
“The first project is to upgrade the Wireless Walk, a new tourist attraction that will feature 60 stalls in container design, an area for busking and food trucks.
“The wireless walk will also be equipped with free WiFi and promoted as #wirelesswalk.
“The next project is called Bakam point and worth RM5mil.
“Bakam point will feature a tamu (market) with fish stalls, a seafood centre, a fishing jetty, barbecue area and a walkway along the riverbank.
“The third project also worth RM5mil will focus on transforming Tusan Beach under the implementation of the Subis District Council.
“The project will start with land acquisition, and will utilise a beach front of 6.5km and six acres of land for amenities,” said Lee.
He said RM3mil had been allocated for this year for the Baram River Waterfront in Marudi and the upgrading and rehabilitation of Fort Hose.
Miri’s Petroleum Museum would also undergo repair and maintenance works, added Lee.
“The resident will be in charge of chairing a committee to reach out to oil and gas companies to contribute items related to oil companies as some items on display in the museum are already obsolete,” he said. The Niah National Park will receive an allocation of RM3.4mil of federal funding for the repair of facilities and upgrading work.
“Work started in February and is due for completion in November.
“An interpretation centre which will utilise holograms to introduce the park to visitors will be included.
“I would like to suggest that the Sarawak Foresty Corporation’s website be improved and promote digital and virtual tourism.
“This will create interest for virtual tours of our national parks.
“We must keep up with the trend and go digital,” said Lee said.
Lee suggested that virtual reality technology be incorporated in the park’s upcoming interpretation centre.
He also said the Miri sports complex in need of major repairs as the facilities were over 20 years old.
“The Sarawak Sports Corporation will be in charge of appointing consultants for major repairs.
“A total of RM6mil has been allocated for this project,” he said.
Lee also said he would request for major repair of the Miri Public swimming pool.
“We need to shut down the pool and conduct major maintenance and upgrading works, including installing a roof over the facilities.
“Sarawak Sports Corporation’s technical team of engineers has been appointed to look after the assets,” said Lee.
Also present at the press conference was the ministry’s permanent secretary Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik and Miri Resident Sherrina Hussaini.