Monday, 25 August 2008, Kuching – CMS’ construction arm, PPES Works, announced the completion and hand-over of two more projects that are significant to the State of Sarawak – the Islamic Information Centre (Pusat Islam) and the new Kuching Campus for Swinburne University of Technology.

Chief Minister of Sarawak Pehin Sri Hj Abdul Taib Mahmud officially opened the uniquely designed Islamic Information Centre on 17 August 2008, and the new Kuching Campus for Swinburne University of Technology on 23 August 2008. Both projects are located at Jalan Ong Tiang Swee in Kuching.

Commenting on the completion of the projects, Robert Gardner, PPES Works Executive Director, said “PPES Works was proud to have delivered another two iconic buildings that will be of great benefit to the State of Sarawak.”

The Islamic Information Centre will serve as an important resource facility, both for new converts to Islam and to all others who seek to improve their knowledge of the religion. It is made up of six inter-connected buildings – namely Auditorium, Administration Block, Male Hostel, Female Hostel, Surau and Library, and Barok (function hall). The architecture is inspired by ethnic design elements of the Chinese, Iban, Malay, Melanau and Orang Ulu communities.

Robert Gardner said that “Pusat Islam was a very challenging project and required the dogged determination of our site staff to overcome the logistics of importing materials from China and Belgium, and flying in specialist tradesmen from China and Uzbekistan. In addition the use of modern materials in the construction of traditional structures required significant practical construction input from our supervisory staff to assist the Owner’s Consultant Team in the development of the design.”