By Shikin Louis & Amanda L
KUCHING, April 21: The Brooke Dockyard Industrial Heritage Museum has reopened a 114-year-old shipyard as a “living archive”, transforming a historic maritime site into one of Sarawak’s newest tourism and educational attractions.
Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the RM46.7 million project breathes new life into the former dockyard, preserving its legacy while making it accessible to the public.
He cited historical records from The Sarawak Gazette dated June 1, 1912, which documented the arrival of Rajah Muda Sarawak Charles Vyner Brooke and Ranee Muda Sylvia Brett, who departed from the Astana and travelled upriver to the dockyard.
“Upon the sounding of a signal, the dock gates were opened, allowing the royal entourage to proceed to the main staircase and up to the ceremonial platform, where the Brooke Dockyard was officially inaugurated.
“The opening was more than a ceremonial event, as it marked the beginning of industrial-scale ship maintenance capability in Sarawak,” he said at the official launch last night (April 20).
Dating back to 1912, the Brooke Dockyard was the first dry dock in Malaya and Borneo, marking a major engineering achievement of its time and playing a crucial role in Sarawak’s maritime development.
Abdul Karim pointed out that the museum now stands on the exact site where the dockyard was first officiated more than a century ago, underscoring its historical significance.
The project, implemented in phases from 2020 to 2025, involved restoring the site’s original structures while introducing curated exhibits highlighting its industrial past.
Among its key features are preserved heavy machinery, rare dry dock engineering structures, and a replica of the royal vessel His Highness Yacht (HHY) Zahora, offering visitors a glimpse into the operations that once powered the dockyard.
Beyond the exhibits, the surrounding area has also been enhanced with heritage elements, including murals along Dock Lane depicting the social and working life of the community tied to the dockyard—from traders and food vendors to river transport operators.
Abdul Karim said the museum is not merely a static display of artefacts, but a space where visitors, especially the younger generation, can better understand the historical development of Kuching and Sarawak.
He added that the museum’s opening is a strategic move aligned with the State’s 3rd Sarawak Tourism Master Plan, which targets an increase in tourist arrivals from 4.6 million to 12.7 million, with projected tourism receipts reaching RM50 billion by 2035.
“I am very confident in achieving this target. Looking at our tourism receipts, we recorded about RM12.2 billion for the whole of 2025.
“For the first three months of this year, each month has already exceeded RM1 billion in tourism receipts.
“By the time we reach 2035, we will be well above the RM50 billion target, based on what we are seeing now,” he stressed.
The Brooke Dockyard Industrial Heritage Museum was officiated by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg last night.
The museum opens to the public today (April 21), with free admission currently offered.
Operating hours are from 9am to 4.45pm on weekdays, and 9.30am to 4.30pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. — DayakDaily
