KUCHING: Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Hamzah today called on the Drainage and Irrigation Department to put its proposed demolition of the 71-year-old building that used to be the "nurses' home" at Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg here on hold.
He said the department should get a second expert opinion on its proposal to turn the approximately 1.2 hectares of land on which the home sits into a flood retention pond to mitigate the frequent flooding of the Sarawak general hospital across the road.
Karim said the process the DID went through with the proposed project had raised some red flags.
"DID did not consult us on the historical status of the building."
The building, also known as the Sarawak General Hospital nurses' quarters, was constructed in 1953.
However, Karim acknowledged that the department had approached the Museum Department, a unit under his ministry, for an opinion if the home is a heritage building, but he pointed out that the former museum director had no power to make a unilateral decision such as this.
Karim did not name names but the museum director he was referring to is generally believed to be Ipoi Datan who retired in 2018 after serving in various capacities at the museum since 1982.
Karim said he also questioned the need for the project.
"Have they (DID) done a proper study (on what caused the flooding at SGH)? I don't know if they did and I am not an expert on what caused the flood.
"But like most laymen, I feel the flooding is due to the poor drainage in and around the area."
Karim said the drains there were "simply too small" to cater for the volume and speed of the water run off from the high grounds on one side of the SGH, alluding to areas around Rodway and Cruickshank roads.
"I say 'put on hold the demolition and get a second opinion'.
"That old building is very sentimental to a lot of people in Kuching, especially to the people who have been through it.
"The moment you demolish a heritage building, you can never rebuild it.
"History will be lost. If it can be saved, then save it."
However Karim said if the DID's proposal is the only way to resolve the flooding of SGH, "then go ahead with it".
"I will back it all up. But if there are options on how we can solve this problem, go for the alternative.
"We also want old buildings to be preserved."
The state government acquired the land from the federal government in 2022.
The former nurses' home was used to house trainee nurses and staff of the SGH, the largest hospital in the state.
The quarters played a crucial role in the daily lives of nurses, who often had to stay on-site due to the lack of transportation options and the demanding nature of their shifts.
The Sarawak Health Department stopped using the nurses' home in 2018 and moved to the new training centre in Penrissen.
This move was part of the department's efforts to improve training facilities and accomodation for nursing students and staff.