KUCHING: The construction of the RM90 million Sarawak Islamic Complex here will continue despite the global economic slowdown.

Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Islamic Affairs) Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman said on the contrary this was the best time to pursue a project because building cost was low.

He said the building cost for the complex had gone down by 30 per cent.

“The cost which is given to us now is 30 per cent less than what we had estimated and that is why we are offering the tender for its construction now,” he told reporters after witnessing the handover of the project site yesterday.

According to him, the complex is expected to be completed by 2011 and by that time, the economy would have already recovered.

As such, Daud expected many clients to rent the complex’s business lots.

He said many had already shown their interest in renting the premises.

The assistant minister said work had just started and it was expected to be completed in 30 months’ time.

“We want the hall which is outside the complex to be ready first because we do not have enough options to hold events and this hall could accommodate 2,000 people at any one time,” he pointed out.

The State Islamic Complex is to be established on a 2.07-acre area along Jalan P Ramlee and will incorporate modern designs with Islamic and local concepts.

Thirteen floors of the 17-storey complex are designated for offices.

It will also have a multipurpose hall, four podiums, a shopping centre, an Islamic bank, resource centre, a restaurant, food court, parking bays, children recreational area and an Islamic Boulevard.

Meanwhile, State Islamic Council chairman Datu Putit Matzen handed over documents of the site to Naim Cendera Sdn Bhd deputy executive director Suryanto Osman.

(Taken from Borneo Post)