Sarawak Performing Arts Centre to take its cue from London’s Royal Albert Hall, says Abang Johari
KUCHING, May 2 — The Royal Albert Hall in London will be used as a point of reference in the creation of the Sarawak Performance Arts Centre (PAC), Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg said today.
He said the Old Sarawak Legislative Assembly building will be converted into the performing arts centre at a cost of RM240 million and is slated for completion in 2027.
“The most expensive part of the PAC is the equipment which is state-of-the-art, and our reference is Royal Albert Hall,” he told reporters after a site handover ceremony to a contractor.
“When the conversion work is completed, we can bring in international artistes to perform here,” he said, adding that this will boost the state tourism and service industry.
He said Singapore had benefitted hugely from the concerts of international artistes, such as singer-songwriter Taylor Swift in March this year.
“The Singapore government gave incentives to Swift to perform there, but the spin-offs are not only in terms of culture, but also in monetary terms.
“We also want to attract singers like her, but if our concert hall is not good, who wants to come?” he said.
Abang Johari said Sarawak PAC will be of great help to local performers to showcase their talents or stage theatrical work.
He said he is confident that the arts centre will be able to elevate the standard of local performers.
Speaking earlier, Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the focus of the centre will be to strengthen the development programme and arts activities in the state.
He said these would include music, dance, vocal and theatre performances; a venue to exhibit visual arts such as paintings, sculpture and murals; a place to recite poetry; and virtual arts display such as animation, videography and social media.
He said the Sarawak Arts Council has attracted 1,261 participants to attend arts guidance classes for the 2024 sessions throughout the state.
“Apart from that, my ministry is actively organising town hall sessions in Kuching, Samarahan, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri Divisions,” he said.
He added the sessions are to share information and aspirations with the stakeholders on the direction of the creative industry in Sarawak.
