Sarawak New Parliament Building by Nicky Tay is used under CC BY-SA 4.0 / Cropped from original
Resembling something from a Star Wars movie, the New Sarawak or New Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building is located on the island of Borneo and is part of Malaysia. With its distinctive “payung” or umbrella roof, it is easy to spot from a distance. Its many arches and 9 pillars are symbolic of their sovereignty and the inclusion of different races in Malaysia. The New Sarawak sits on the banks of the Sarawak River and is not far from the Governor’s residence. Legislators hope to use this building for the next 100 years.
Despite its unusual appearance, The New Sarawak contains intelligent building automation systems, multimedia communication facilities, and environmentally friendly features. It was constructed over a 5-year span and completed in 2009 at a cost of RM 296.5 million or about $665,000.
The opening day was an elaborate affair, the king was present as well as government officials and over 10,000 locals and tourists. There was a parade of 21 decorated boats and a firework show at the end.
Hopefully, this unique, new landmark building can serve the Sarawak government well for many years, as planned.
