KOTA KINABALU: Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam urged professional bodies like the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) Sabah Chapter to proactively and creatively work with all stakeholders based on the holistic urban planning approach.
Dr Joachim, who is also the Local Government and Housing Minister, also wants the relevant ministries, departments and agencies to engage the Sabah professional consultants not only to plan for the State’s infrastructure but also to build and manage its future development.
“I hope that all parties, stakeholders and countries involved will work together to realise the common vision of development and prosperity,” he said when officiating the Borneo Architecture Festival 2024 at Magellan Sutera Resort, Kota Kinabalu here today.
Earlier, Dr Joachim said the Local Government and Housing Ministry (MLGH) and PAM Sabah Chapter have been working closely on matters related to building, housing infrastructure and related development, which they all agree are significant and will have a huge impact on the people’s future social and economic wellbeing.
Happy to see the 300 representatives of district local authorities, officers from Ministry of Local Government and Housing, Ministry of Works, and architecture companies joining the festival, he hopes that the event will be meaningful and memorable to each and everyone, whether as civil servants, architects or other stakeholders in the building industry, coming together as a family not only to learn from each other but also to celebrate and cherish the moment of their achievement.
“The famous saying, “We shape our buildings, thereafter they shape us” constantly reminding us that every building, city or environment we create today will have a long-lasting impact on tomorrow’s society.
“I, therefore, urge all of you as direct stakeholders to work hard with dedication, to be innovative, efficient and knowledgeable when creating or planning something so our future generations will not have to suffer the bad consequences of our action today,” he said.
He said civil servants especially senior staff of the local government must be knowledgeable about the things that they are supposed to do, execute or implement, and of course, they must equip themselves with the necessary skills and knowledge required to be effective implementers of current policies and procedures.
“This is where this Borneo Architecture Festival can be very useful for you to learn the necessary skills and pointers from the experts.
“Of course, we all have to align our works based on the current policies determined by the Government of the day such as the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ).
“The Hala Tuju, formulated within the framework of the Sabah Maju Jaya, contained a very realistic and achievable development agenda. SMJ is focused on agriculture, tourism and the Industrial sector as well as enhancing connectivity with a green approach. All these are aimed at attracting more investors that create job and business opportunities for Sabahans.”
The rise of the tourism industry as a major economic activity has created the need for more infrastructure development, such as good hotel facilities and a well-planned urban development that can be an asset for the state and country in the future.
“As such we need to plan all development programs and proposals using the latest technological advances and using or maintaining our rich cultural identity
otherwise there is a real risk of losing our rich cultural identity. To preserve our cultural heritage, we must therefore develop a sense of belonging to our beautiful Borneo,” he said.
Also present were the Deputy Permanent Secretary I of Ministry Local Government and Housing (MOLGAH) Stanley Chong; Director General Dewan Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu (DBKK), Lifred Wong; Deputy President of Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia (PAM), Ar Dexter Koh Yew Peng; Chairman of PAM Sabah Chapter, Ar Mok Juang Yu; Organising Chair-person of Borneo Architecture Festival 2024, Ar Ng Shi Qi; Chairman of PAM Sarawak Chapter, Ar Noraini Narodden and Chief Assistant Secretary (Landscape) MOLGAH LAr Nurulhayati Awang More.
