KUCHING (July 28): The Sarawak government is in talks with the federal government to acquire the old General Post Office building for renovation while preserving its heritage value, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Abang Johari said the post office, located opposite Plaza Merdeka, was among several heritage buildings that could be renovated while maintaining their historical character.
“We have the post office in mind. Once we have completed the discussions, that building can be renovated.
“We have to maintain its heritage value. We will preserve the actual building and only renovate it,” he told reporters after officiating the opening of Wisma Elica today.
He said the building remained under the federal government, which was why the state was first seeking to acquire the property.
Abang Johari said the state was looking at successful examples of heritage renovation elsewhere, citing Singapore’s Fullerton Hotel, which occupies a former post office building, and the Sultan Abdul Samad Building in Kuala Lumpur.
“The Fullerton Hotel in Singapore was formerly a post office. The Sultan Abdul Samad Building in Kuala Lumpur has also been renovated. Those are examples of heritage buildings that have been preserved,” he said.
He also identified the Darul Kurnia building, located along Jalan Haji Taha, and Ban Hock Road as areas with heritage buildings that could potentially be renovated.
However, he stressed that any renovation of privately owned heritage buildings would depend on the owners’ willingness to undertake the projects and must comply with heritage conservation laws.
“It is up to the owners to redesign their buildings, but they cannot touch the core structure because it is protected under the heritage law,” he said.
Asked whether the government would facilitate efforts by the private sector to revive old buildings, Abang Johari said the state welcomed such initiatives.
“If the owner wants to renovate a building for a different function, why not? We encourage them,” he said.
He cited the transformation of Wisma Elica as an example of how older buildings could be successfully renovated while retaining their character.
