CMS to undertake RM308 mln Sarawak Museum Campus, Heritage Trail project

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The Sarawak Museum, which was built in 1891.

KUCHING: Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd (CMS) through its construction arm PPES Works (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd, co-owned with Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), has entered into contract with the state government via Sarawak Museum Department, to undertake the proposed Sarawak Museum Campus and Heritage Trail project here worth RM308 million (US$83.2m).

The project comprises the design, construction, fitting out an exhibitory for a new world-class museum and an annex building with a combined total floor space of approximately 30,000m².

This annex building would house the administration area as well as storage and conservation facilities in accordance to international museum standards, CMS said in a press statement yesterday.

“The project also includes a heritage trail in central Kuching, as well as the period conservation and exhibitory for the three existing historical museum buildings and of a pavilion.”

CMS Group managing director Datuk Richard Curtis said: “The Sarawak Museum, which was founded in 1891, contains one of the world’s finest collections of Borneo materials within a complex of historically important heritage buildings. We are confident that PPES’ experience in developing iconic buildings across the state, including the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex and Borneo Convention Centre Kuching, will enable us to deliver this project in line with the state’s objective of restoring Sarawak Museum into one of the region’s leading museums.”
Curtis said CMS was honoured to have been entrusted with this project, recognising that its successful execution would greatly support nation-building, education and research into Sarawak’s rich natural, cultural and historical heritage as well as increasing cultural tourism.

“To ensure that this objective is met, PPES in supplementing local resources, is involving international experts and other leading museums with proven track records in upgrading and developing world-class museums, in its project execution. These will include UK’s British Museum and Natural History Museum, who were involved in the original founding of the Sarawak Museum.”

The project is being undertaken in phases so that a section of Sarawak Museum would always be open to visitors. It is expected to be completed in 2020.