KUCHING, July 1: The construction work to transform the Brooke Dockyard at Jalan Market into a maritime museum is now at 41 per cent completion.
Brooke Dockyard And Engineering Works Corporation general manager Lubau Genam said the physical construction work is expected to reach completion by year end.
“Presently, we are encountering some delay following the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) due to Covid-19 pandemic previously, and some technical problems because we are doing preservation work and not constructing a new building.
“Thus, it is very complex and there are many procedures. So we are working closely with the State Museum Department.
“We cannot just take down the old structure because we are doing conservation work. This is a unique project,” he said at a press conference after the launch of the Occupational Safety and Health Week 2022 and Mass Toolbox Programme held at the Brooke Dockyard and Engineering Works Corporation Sejingkat Fabrication Yard off Jalan Bako today.
Meanwhile, project coordinator Salmiah Abdullah informed the press that the physical building is scheduled to complete by Dec 2022 but its interior design would only be completed by April 2023.
She also said a replica of the historical Zahora ship is currently being produced in Sibu and will be towed to Jalan Market once completed.
The preservation work surrounding the 110-year-old Brooke Dockyard costs about RM40 million and its new look as a maritime museum will house over 80 exhibits.
The event was officiated by State Occupational Safety and Health Department director Dr Nor Halim Hasan.
Also present were Brooke Dockyard and Engineering Works Corporation chairman Datu Safri Zainudin and Sarawak Shell Bhd general manager of Health, Safety and Environment, Alexon Jong. — DayakDaily
