KOTA KINABALU: The government has allocated RM10 million for building Sabah Art Gallery complex in the city.

The location is where the State Welfare Services Department used to be, adjacent to the Standard Chartered Bank.

State Cultural Board general manager Rusman Abdullah said the project would be implemented next year.

The plan for the gallery will be based on the colonial-style model of the original building that was razed to the ground several years ago, he said at the presentation of prizes to selected artworks here in conjunction with the Head of State Tun Ahmadshah Abdullah’s 62nd birthday celebration.

Ahmadshah presented the prizes to the winners. Also present at the presentation ceremony were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Yahya Hussin, Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun, Sabah Cultural Board chairman Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau, Sabah Art Gallery director Datuk Yaman Mus and other officials.

Rusman, who heads the sub-committee of the Mini-exhibition and Prize Presentation 2008, said the State Cultural Board would be in a better position to promote the works of local artists through exhibition and sales promotion.

The artwork of local artists are becoming popular to both domestic and foreign tourists, he said.

Rusman said the Gallery had collected 2,500 pieces of artwork since the event was introduced 23 years ago in 1985.

This year, the Gallery received 163 entries for three categories of selected artworks from 155 participants.

Rusman said from next year onwards, the Sabah International Folklore Festival would be held as an annual event in July.

“We have been holding the Sabah International Folkore Festival once in three years since 2001. It will be held as an annual event from next year, and we will also introduce the folk artists with participation of foreign countries,” he said.

Abdulla Akop from Kudat was declared the winner of of this year’s main Annual Selected Artworks Award that carries a cash prize of RM3,000 and a certificate.

Abdulla’s entry in the open category entitled ‘Ku Temui Di Kaki Gunung’ in a replica of a grasshopper made from iron rods.

The other winners are Chrisna Pindah, Ishak Salehuddin, Jainal Amambing, Chong Yee Leong, Charles Mawan, Marlin Janius, Maduni Majidin, Daiman Bona, Anita Dee Majanil and Muhammad Amin Muhidin.

In the Secondary School category, each of the winners received RM300 cash and certificate. They are Yong Xiong Ling, Wong Shi Han, Chan Jin Seng, Sack Tin Lim, Lo Ming Lai, Lo Cheau Li, Deanna Lau Siik Lin, Lai Chui Ye, Wah Yan Erl and Terrysia Thadens Joh.

The winners in the lower Secondary School category are Wong Wai Loon, Fong Yun Ge, Lim Xing Ying, Chang Sy Ying, Chan Pei Ying, Leong Yew Vui, Lau Sii Hong, Leong Ruoh Yuan, Lau Yee Kee and Margeret Loo Ming Yen. Each of them received RM200 cash prize and a certificate.