KUNAK: Assistant Youth, Sports Development and Creative Economy Minister Datuk Seri Anil Sandhu has given Public Works Department (PWD) officers a one-week ultimatum to resolve the prolonged closure of Kunak’s new RM6 million library.
The Kunak Assemblyman issued the warning after the Sabah State Library (PNS) branch building here sat idle for more than seven months despite being fully completed, with unresolved water and electricity rate valuations cited as the reason for the delay.
“I have already told the JKR officers and engineers here… if this matter cannot be resolved by next week, I will bring a table and a desk lamp and sit in the dark library myself,” he said, adding that excuses are unacceptable.
“My approach is simple… if a building has been completed for more than six or seven months, surely the matter of water and electricity can be resolved,” he said.
He said he had received public complaints over the delay and confirmed he would be visiting the completed building to personally assess the situation.
The new library, located near Dewan Arena Belia in Kunak town, has been ready since last year but remains closed to the public.
Construction of the building had previously been halted during the Covid-19 pandemic before work resumed and was eventually completed.
He said that a library is a critical public facility, serving as a centre for learning, reference, academic discourse and digital information access, and called for it to be opened without further delay.
The existing Kunak branch continues to operate from rented commercial premises in Pekan Kunak.
