Puspen, Kuching

As part of a rehabilitation programme for drug users, the Government of Malaysia has built several centres called PUSPEN or Pusat Pemulihan Penagihan Nakotik around the country. Similar in many ways with prisons, these centres are dedicated only for drug users. Over the years the public perception of these centres has also changed. Previously the centres were filled with drug abusers who were arrested by the police or other authorities. Today families are more willing to surrender their loved ones who are drug abusers to the authorities when compared to before. Thus now there is a real need to ensure that these centres look less like the prison but maintain the same level of security. The new PUSPEN in Kuching with a built up of 27,132 sq m is located about an hour drive from the Kuching city. Sprawling over 50 acres, most of the buildings are single storey structures with the exception of the administration centre. A remand centre under the supervision of the PDRM and some housing for the personnels are provided for.

The masterplan of the new PUSPEN facilities in Kuching takes into account the current need of the existing PUSPEN in other parts of the country. These needs have grown organically and therefore needed to be addressed properly. Apart from these existing needs, the new centre will also provide additional facilities that do not exist in other centres like a small church and a temple. The security aspect of the centre is similar if not better than other centres and where improvement can be made, they will be carried out. The masterplan of this new facilities aims to create a sense of belonging to the place. A major thoroughfare which terminates with the surau makes for a strong civic statement. Along this main spine are placed all the major components. The thoroughfare itself goes through several security zones and by doing so, bind these zones together. The building forms are contemporary in nature and whilst some steps are taken to soften the outlook (in view that many of the current inmates are admitted voluntarily) this has been done within limit so as not to lessen what is essentially a correctional facility.

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