AFTER a two-year delay, the new RM40 million library in Tanjung Aru, Sabah will open its doors to the public this April, state Library Department director Wong Vui Yin said.

Dubbed a “green” library, the state library’s shape, meant to resemble a “flipping book”, will incorporate environmentally friendly features to minimise electricity usage such as natural lighting, rainwater harvesting, and natural ventilation.

The first carbon-conscious library in the country, its bare structure was completed two years ago and has seen delays to its interior finishings.

Wong said much of the delay was due to interior design work and adjustments to the surrounding road and car park.

“The bare structure was completed on March 14, 2017 and the certificates of occupation and completion were obtained on April 9, 2018.

“However, we were forced to step in to complete interior works and infrastructure, which involved constructing the car park and finishings in the interior,” he told The Malaysian Insight.  

Wong said work on the interior began in May last year and is expected to be completed by March 31.

“The soft opening is on track for April 1 and we are planning for the official opening later with the Sabah chief minister in attendance,” he said.  

The construction of the building was funded by Lahad Datu Water Supply Sdn Bhd and the Sabah Development Bank, which donated RM20 million each for the project under their corporate social responsibility budgets.

Wong said some RM8 million was spent on the interior and RM1.6 million for the carpark and roads.

The library sits on a 1.2ha site adjacent to the popular jogging spot, Perdana Park, in Tanjung Aru.

It overlooks the home of former Sabah chief minister and historic personality Mustapha Datu Harun, the Tanjung Aru Plaza commercial centre, and a small forested area.

The six-storey structure will have a total floor space of 5,000 sq m, with the external building designs incorporating the motifs of the different Sabah ethnic groups.

The library’s features include an innovation centre. Wong said Telekom Malaysia was being approached to set up a telecommunications museum inside the new library. – February 24, 2019.