PPES Works (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd Enters Into Contract with State Government to Undertake the Proposed Sarawak Museum Campus and Heritage Trail

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Kuching (Sarawak), Tuesday 14 April 2015 – Cahya Mata Sarawak Berhad (CMSB), the State of Sarawak’s leading infrastructure facilitator, is pleased to announce that its construction arm, PPES Works (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd (PPES) , which is owned 51:49 between CMSB and State agency Sarawak Economic Development Corporation, has entered into a Design and Build and Negotiated Contract with the Government of Sarawak for the Sarawak Museum Department to undertake the proposed Sarawak Museum Campus and Heritage Trail in Kuching at a total contract sum of RM308 million (US$83.2m).

The Project comprises the design, construction, fitting out and exhibitory for a new world class  museum and an adjoining annexe building with a combined total floor space of approximately 30,000 m2. This annexe building will incorporate both an administration area and storage and conservation facilities up to international museum standards. 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.

Dato’ Richard Curtis, Group Managing Director of CMSB said, “The Sarawak Museum was founded in 1891 and contains one of the world’s finest collections of Borneo material within a complex of historically important heritage buildings. We are confident that PPES’ long experience in developing iconic buildings in the State including the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly building (or DUN) and the award winning Borneo Convention Centre Kuching will enable us to deliver this project in line with the State’s objective of restoring the Sarawak Museum to its status as one of the region’s leading museums.

“We are honoured to have been entrusted with this Project and recognise that its successful execution will greatly support nation building, education and research into Sarawak’s rich natural, cultural and historical heritage as well as increasing cultural tourism. To ensure this objective is met, PPES, to supplement 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 at all times a section of the Sarawak Museum is always open to visitors and the Project is expected to be to be completed in 2020.