Rentap (fourth left) presents a memento to Abdul Karim, while Safiee (fourth left), Sharifah Hasidah (fifth right), Tiang (fourth right) and others look on. – Photo by Peter Boon
SIBU (Aug 9): The Sarawak United National Youth Organisation (Saberkas) is considering building a new headquarters complex that could incorporate sports, recreational and event facilities, said its president Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
He said the organisation currently has its headquarters at Wisma Saberkas in Kuching but is looking at developing a larger complex to cater to broader needs.
“We are looking into something bigger because, presently, in Kuching there is a need for a place for recreation, especially sports, and also for weddings. We are facing a problem with that.
“And that is where we are looking into having our new headquarters complex that would include sports facilities and could also be used for weddings and other functions.
“So we are still contemplating looking into something like that. Presently, as I mentioned (in my speech) just now, we are quite strong financially,” he said.
Abdul Karim, who is the Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister and Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister, told reporters this after a welcoming dinner on Saturday for delegates and observers as well as exco and ex-officio members attending the Saberkas 18th Triennial General Meeting (TGM) here.
To a question, he disclosed there is an area in mind in Petra Jaya for the proposed development, but the organisation would first need to liaise with the Land and Survey Department and the state government on the possibility of acquiring the site or having land allocated for the project.
“We do have an area in mind in Petra Jaya, which we need to liaise with the Land and Survey Department (on) and look into whether we can acquire it or whether it can be given by the state government for us to construct that kind of building,” he said.
He said the proposed building will have an iconic architectural design, considering that the organisation is already 53 years old.
“Of course, if we are to build something, it has to be a bit iconic in terms of architecture,” he said.
He stressed, however, that the proposal is still at a preliminary stage and no cost estimate has been finalised.
“We will have to discuss the proposal with the state government first. Once everything has been agreed upon and finalised, perhaps then we can reveal the proposed design to the public and the media, as well as the cost.”
Abdul Karim also highlighted the growth of Saberkas, noting that this year’s TGM was very significant as delegates from all 82 branches were attending for the first time.
“This is the first time, and it has never happened before. Previously, we were not able to register and establish the 82 branches.
“I believe people are seeing the importance of being part of Saberkas, particularly in terms of networking and connections. Saberkas Central also provides funding to support youth activities at the branch level,” he added.
The organisation has also established clubs at universities including i-CATS University College, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) and Universiti Teknologi Mara Sarawak, with the possibility of expanding to public universities in Peninsular Malaysia in the future, he said.
Abdul Karim said Saberkas had also sent youths and women to China over the past two years for exposure and study programmes related to agriculture and entrepreneurship.
Meanwhile, Saberkas secretary-general Dr Safiee Ahmad revealed that the organisation currently has a membership of 57,717.
Saberkas deputy president Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu, who is also State Deputy Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development; Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Michael Tiang, and Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali were among those present.