Kota Kinabalu: The new Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry Complex, when ready at a 6.77-acre site in Kapayan in February 2029, will end the 32-year wait for a permanent home for several key federal departments and agencies in Sabah.
Its Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said construction of the RM81 million project began last October with a 40-month construction period. The project was approved under Rolling Plan Three (RP3) of the 12th Malaysia Plan.
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“After 32 years of waiting, construction of this Mini Complex has finally commenced,” he said, after officiating the project’s ground breaking ceremony, Saturday.
The complex would house the Sabah headquarters of the Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia (Jupem), its Kota Kinabalu Regional Topography Office, the Department of Minerals and Geoscience Malaysia (JMG) Sabah, the Sabah office of the Department of Director General of Lands and Mines (JKPTG) and the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) Sabah.
Arthur said the facility would include a multipurpose hall, laboratory buildings and a JMG warehouse, as well as MetMalaysia management offices, to support operational, training and administrative needs.
“Most of these offices have long been operating from rented premises. Having our own complex not only creates a government asset but also facilitates meetings, training and improves overall management efficiency,” he said.
He added that the Sabah NRES Mini Complex will incorporate green building features in line with government policies to strengthen environmental sustainability and energy efficiency in the construction sector.
“The overall design emphasises passive green concepts and a modern architectural identity that reflects Sabah’s character, while remaining harmonious with the functions and role of the ministry,” he said.
On another matter, Arthur said the ministry is also prioritising the enhancement of flood early warning systems amid increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, particularly in Sabah.
“We can forecast the weather, but we cannot control it. That is why strengthening forecasting capabilities and early warning systems must be a priority in dealing with extreme weather events,” he said.
Also present were Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jaffry Arifin and Sabah Federal Secretary Datuk Mohd Razali Wahab.
