(From left) Wahap, Wee and Abang Johari visiting vendors at the India Street Pedestrian Mall.
KUCHING: Refurbishing works at the India Street Pedestrian Mall will be an on-going process culminating in a facelift of heritage buildings while improving comfort to both traders and visitors.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said the Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) is planning to repaint all the shops within the mall, whereby the state government has approved an allocation.
According to him, the facelift concept is similar to the practice in Singapore whereby old architecture is preserved and upgraded.
“This is what we are trying to emulate as the pedestrian mall is a heritage area and we will upgrade the buildings on this particular street.
“I do not know how much it cost, we will evaluate how much for a facelift,” he told reporters during his visit to the India
Street Pedestrian Mall accompanied by DBKU Mayor Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang Julai and DBKU board member Dato Wee Hong Seng.
Earlier, Abang Johari pointed out that the state upgraded the pedestrian mall through the RM4.3 million roofing project to provide a sheltered walkway for pedestrians.
However, fine tuning is required as a part of the roofing has a gradient problem with rainwater running off onto some shops.
“Hence, I have urged consultants to rectify this matter as soon as possible,” he said.
Meanwhile, mayor Abang Johari added that the state government together with DBKU will be implementing the upgrading works in other heritage areas such as Carpenter Street and Main Bazaar.
“Carpenter Street will be connected to Gambier Street and also Main Bazaar as it is a heritage strongpoint that attracts tourism to this area,” he said.