KOTA KINABALU: The old Wisma Radio Sabah (WRS) building at KM2.4 of Jalan Tuaran here has been gazetted as one of the cultural heritage buildings in Sabah.
Radio Sabah Alumni Association (Rasa) president Datuk Gan Po Tiau thanked the state government and commended Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman for proposing the conservation of historical sites and buildings such as the WRS to be promoted as tourism products while tabling the state budget 2018.
“We welcome the steps to conserve and maintain WRS and consider it a special gift to our association.
“WRS not only has a high nostalgic value to us former radio presenters, but the building has invaluable historical value since it was once made a secretariat by the Cobbold Commission in February 1962, which was about a year and seven months before the declaration of Malaysia's formation on Sept 16, 1963,” he said.
Gan added that Sabah was rich in natural resources which should be enjoyed by all communities, and this should be complemented with historical buildings and sites which need to be conserved and maintained for the future generation.
“Rasa is championing the preservation and conservation of this historical heritage and what the state government has done to gazette WRS as a cultural heritage building and site is timely, as the building seems to be abandoned and in poor condition.
“We call on the relevant ministries to immediately fence the area to prevent trespassing,” he said.
Meanwhile, Gan said Rasa welcomed the introduction of the State Cultural Heritage Enactment 2017, which had been passed by the state assembly, saying that it reflected the seriousness and concern of the state government in the conservation and preservation of Sabah's treasures.
He congratulated the state government for the success of presenting a surplus budget for four consecutive years, which demonstrated the state administration's excellent performance in bringing about comprehensive development and continuously prioritising the interests of the people. – Bernama