KUCHING (Aug 4): The new Sarawak Premier’s Office building has been officially named the Satria Pertiwi Complex (Kompleks Satria Pertiwi), and was launched in Petra Jaya today during a grand ceremony.

The name was unveiled by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, followed by a light show to mark the occasion.

Also present at the ceremony were Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Sanusi, together with Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.

Among the other distinguished guests were State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Asfia Awang Nassar, State Secretary Datuk Amar Abu Bakar Marzuki, as well as state ministers and assemblymen.

Nicknamed Sarawak’s ‘White House’ by the public for its striking resemblance to the official residence of the President of the United States, the three-storey main complex is adjoined by two double-storey wings and was purpose-built as a secure and centralised hub for the Sarawak government’s administrative functions.

In February, Abang Johari revealed that the decision to construct the new facility was driven by security concerns over the current state administrative centre, Wisma Bapa Malaysia.

“The new building was built purely for security reasons. Wisma Bapa Malaysia is open to the public, which creates a significant security risk. Since government secrets are housed there, a safer and more secure location is necessary,” he said at the time.