The Batu Kawa Innovation Hub (BKIH) is finally fully operational and officially open to the public.
Located on the upper level of the Ang Cheng Ho Sports & Community Hall, this facility has been much awaited by youth, tech enthusiasts, and young entrepreneurs across Kuching.
As previously highlighted by the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS), the hub was built as part of a massive RM9.8 million phase-one project to develop the 20-acre Ang Cheng Ho quarry which sat abandoned.
What is Batu Kawa Innovation Hub (BKIH) ?
What exactly is inside the BKIH? The hub is far more than just a typical co-working space. Managed and supported by Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Sarawak (TEGAS), BKIH is dedicated to incubating local talent.
TEGAS Chairman and Deputy Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Sarawak, Datuk Len Talif Salleh, recently announced its operational status, emphasizing that the hub will host collaborative entrepreneurship and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) initiatives.
This means that local startups looking or a student eager to dive into the tech world or a launchpad can utilize BKIH as it is well equipped with the facilities to support the journey.
Batu Kawa Innovation Hub (BKIH) Facilities
Facilities at the new Batu Kawa Innovation Hub as listed below.
- Meeting Room: Capacity for up to 10 people, featuring high-speed internet, Smart TV, and pantry access.
- Hot Desk Area: Open workspace for up to 30 users, offering printing facilities and access to TEGAS entrepreneurship programs.
- Event Space: A versatile space for 30 to 80 participants, suitable for workshops and community activities, equipped with high-speed internet and technology.
- Support Services: General cleaning services are provided
In addition to that, there is also a 19,375-square-foot multipurpose hall capable of comfortably accommodating 1,000 people, alongside a modern basketball court, which can be used to host bigger events which could be related to the BKIH.
How to Book A Space at Batu Kawa Innovation Hub
The Batu Kawa Innovation Hub is officially accepting public bookings with bookings now open online.
Interested individuals or groups can check availability and book these facilities online through the official TEGAS platform at booking.tegas.org.my by selecting “Batu Kawa Innovation Hub.”
Below are some images of BKIH as shared by UKAS.
About the Ang Cheng Ho Sports & Community Hall
The Ang Cheng Ho Sports & Community Hall (Multipurpose Hall) is the centerpiece of an ambitious urban rejuvenation project in Batu Kawa.
Managed by the Padawan Municipal Council (MPP), the project’s goal is to transform the 20-acre abandoned Ang Cheng Ho Quarry lake and its surrounding land into a massive 70-acre mixed-use recreational, sports, and commercial hub by the year 2030.
The first phase of the development has been completed and it features a Multipurpose Hall, a dedicated indoor basketball court and the newly opened Batu Kawa Innovation Hub (BKIH).
Phase 2 of the development is underway with an RM8 million allocation to activate the surrounding area.
The Sarawak government’s long-term vision is to create an urban sanctuary comparable to Kuala Lumpur’s KLCC Park.
These includes facilities like rock climbing, walking trails, and various water and extreme sports facilities that take advantage of the expansive quarry lake.
It also includes extensive landscaping, proper lighting, and food and leisure attractions similar in concept to the Batu Kawah Riverbank Park, but on a significantly grander scale.
The land adjacent to the quarry is slated for commercial development with a shopping center and a hotel fronting the newly created park proposed within the area.
Information source: BP, DD, UKAS, UKAS FB
