Sarawak govt mulls aquatic facility in Bau for community use
BAU (May 18): The Sarawak government is exploring the possibility of developing a small-scale aquatic centre here to encourage greater community participation in swimming and water-based activities.
Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the ministry is open to evaluating the proposal if an official request is submitted for the construction of the facility in Bau.
Speaking at a press conference after officiating the Bau Sports Carnival 2025 at Bau Mini Stadium yesterday, he noted that such a facility could provide local residents with an opportunity to take up swimming as a sport or enjoy recreational water activities.
'We will look into it. Bau is not far from Kuching and can be considered part of Greater Kuching.
'If the existing facilities in Kuching are already sufficient, there may be no need for too many other facilities. We must assess the practicality of the idea, including financial considerations.
'However, we can consider building a small aquatic centre, or at least a modest swimming pool in Bau for family use, so that residents can be exposed to swimming or aquatic sports,' he said.
Abdul Karim, who is also Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister, added that Sarawak is currently strategising the development of high-performance sports by identifying suitable focus sports for different districts.
He explained that this initiative would be implemented through the state's existing network of sports complexes, with selected talents to be further nurtured at the High Performance Centre (HPC) in Kuching.
'Sarawak is already known for its strength in aquatic sports such as diving and swimming. For swimming, we are focusing on Sibu due to its strong contributions in the past. For diving, we are looking at Bau,' he said.
Also present were Deputy Minister of Transport (Maritime and Riverine) Dato Henry Harry Jinep, who is also Tasik Biru assemblyman; Puncak Borneo MP Datuk Willie Mongin; Kuching Division Resident Dayang Hajah Joanita Azizah Abang Morshidi; and Bau District Officer Eddy Nayoi. Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah aquatic centre Bau lead
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