Plaza Merdeka set to create new identity for Kuching

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REVITALISATION PLANS: Photo shows Plaza Merdeka. Ng says that to further anchor his vision of reviving the historic site, he will lobby very strongly for possible heritage zones in Kuching to assist in the revitalisation of the district.

KUCHING: Kuching’s historic district, rich in history and culture, is set to be further stimulated by the area’s new iconic landmark and growth catalyst, Plaza Merdeka.

Plaza Merdeka’s managing director Steve Ng’s vision of revitalising Kuching’s old town district is gaining traction with the opening of Plaza Merdeka today and noted that, “We’re happy that we have come so far. This project has a lot of challenges, it was the largest and deepest excavation in Kuching but we believed in it and kept the promise we made to the Sarawak government which was to create an entity that would be a catalyst for the revitalisation of this historic district.”

Going forward, Ng stated that to further anchor his vision of reviving the historic site, he would lobby very strongly for possible heritage zones in Kuching to assist in the revitalisation of the district.

“If you look at Melaka, you have Jonker Walk; at Penang you have Gurney drive; KL has Bukit Bintang and Singapore has Orchard Road. We plan to create an identity for Kuching too with the Plaza Merdeka area,” said Ng.

At the moment, with plans to develop the Tun Razak side of the Sarawak Museum, Ng revealed that they have plans for additional developments, “an annex to Plaza Merdeka so to speak, we will be putting forth proposals to develop the ATAS Klinik area.”

“We are looking at bringing residential development here as well as additional parking and also create a retail link underground between Plaza Merdeka and Padang Merdeka.

“We have experience in doing substructures so we know it is very feasible,” Ng enthused. “When it is finished, the padang would still remain the same but we would have a link that would connect the building to the old museum, new museum and the padang.”

“All we need is political will, commercial will and commitment that are willing to push the idea all the way. This is our opportunity to make a signature project that people would associate the city by.”

The managing director mentioned that with the esplanade, a pedestrian bridge that was currently on the cards, the enactment of the botanical garden on the other side of the river, the DUN building, Fort Margherita and the base components in place it would create an entirely new district for Kuching.

“Once everything is in place, all we have to do it give it a name, brand it, and then people would know Kuching by this brand,” Ng explained.

“The project is not for profit or private benefit but the benefit of the entire community in the area. Yes, we will benefit but everyone in the area would benefit from it as well and that’s the aim.”