New Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building
Bangunan Dewan Undangan Negeri Sarawak
Completed in 2009, the New Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building has a nine-fold golden umbrella roof that is the most striking landmark on the Kuching skyline, facing the riverfront across the water.
The New Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building (DUN) stands on the north bank of the Sarawak River, on the Petra Jaya side. Completed in 2009, its roof resembles an open golden umbrella, said to blend the Malay royal crown with Iban weaving motifs. The nine folds of the umbrella are said to symbolize Sarawak's nine divisions, although the administrative divisions have since been adjusted.
The building houses government offices and is generally closed to tourists, but the square in front of it and the surrounding riverbanks are free viewing spots. The evening music fountain show (from around 19:00, with times possibly adjusted on public holidays) is very popular with locals. The best views are from the riverfront promenade on the opposite bank or from the S-shaped Darul Hana Bridge. Nearby are the Astana, the state governor's residence built in 1879 by Charles Brooke for his wife (closed to visitors, but can be photographed from outside), and Fort Margherita.
Getting there: it's about a 10-minute walk from the riverfront across the Darul Hana Bridge, or you can take a sampan ferry across the river from the riverfront jetty.
Opening hours
Exterior viewable all day; interior usually closed
Nearby sights
- Fort Margherita
- Carpenter Street & India Street
- Sarawak Textile Museum
- Kuching Waterfront
- Top Spot Food Court
- Kuching City Mosque
- Borneo Cultures Museum
- Satok Weekend Market