A new prison in Sibu, Sarawak, will be built to replace the existing facility, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said.
According to him, the Sibu Prison, which had been in operation for more than 100 years, was no longer able to meet modern requirements for safety, security and rehabilitation.
“This old facility is still bearing the great responsibility of maintaining safety and rehabilitation of inmates to this day,” he said, adding that a new prison was an urgent necessity.
Nanta was speaking during the handover ceremony of the Letter of Acceptance for the project.
The RM275.33mil project will be implemented on a design-and-build basis, with a construction period of 36 months and is scheduled for completion by February 2029.
Nanta said the new prison was intended to create a more humane, safer and more effective rehabilitation ecosystem.
The facility would be able to accommodate up to 1,000 inmates.
He said the project was expected to reduce recidivism rate by 2.38% and prison overcrowding in Sarawak by up to 19%.
Nanta said staff preparedness was expected to improve by 29% with provision of adequate quarters within the prison complex.
He reminded Hartanah Kenyalang Bhd, which was awarded the project, that their responsibility started upon acceptance of the contract.
“Every delay means the people wait longer and every management failure is a failure involving the people’s money,” he said, adding that the project must be completed without delay or compromise on site safety.
He also called on the Public Works Department which would monitor the project, to remain proactive and responsive throughout the construction period.
