IMPORTANCE OF ART: Wan Junaidi (centre) speaking during the site visit to Sekolah Seni Santubong flanked by Dr Abdul Rahman (left) and Global Gap chairman Ikhwan Zaidel.
KUCHING: The construction of Sekolah Seni Santubong will finally be executed this year after experiencing a six-year delay due to several factors such as land and contractor issues.
The project was also given a boost with a RM65 million allocation from the federal government for the construction that is expected to be completed within 18 months.
Taking the bull by its horns, Santubong MP Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said he had managed to get in touch with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak who gave the green light for the financial allocation on Jan 31.
“The state has been waiting for this art school to promote art especially at the grassroots level,” Wan Junaidi said when he visited the site located adjacent to Institut Aminuddin Baki along Jalan Sultan Tengah yesterday.
He also said that it was important for such schools to be constructed as they complimented the finer part of civilisation and was a holistic approach to progress.
“Besides physical, economic and social development, art must not be forgotten as art itself will last for eternity,” said Wan Junaidi who is also the Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker.
He also said that the art school in Santubong would be one of the state’s platforms to identify unpolished gems in theatrical and dance performances.
Wan Junaidi said that besides studying art, the students of this school would also receive formal education at the form one to five level. The school is expected to have at least 600 pupils in the future as they are expecting to enrol 125 pupils each year (25 pupils per class).
Currently the school has 296 pupils and is temporarily housed at the overcrowded SMK Tun Abang Haji Openg.
Meanwhile, Wan Junaidi noted that today’s traditional dances are influenced and infused by other cultures.
“There is actually nothing wrong in that, but please do not let the original traditional dances fade away,” said Wan Junaidi who hoped the school building would feature Sarawakian art and culture.
Also at the site visit was Pantai Damai state assemblyman Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi who hailed the project as an important landmark in the making for the constituency.
He also said the art school would compliment Institut Aminuddin Baki which costs RM140 million and is currently 80 per cent complete.
- The Borneo Post
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