Foundation-Laying Ceremony For Brunei’s First Martime Museum
By Huraizah Ahmad

Bandar Seri Begawan - Brunei Darussalam's first Maritime Museum, which is under the country's 8th National Development Plan, is expected to be completed by June next year.

The $5-million project was initiated on December 14, 2006 and is being constructed on a piece of land measuring about 3.53 hectares.

This was stated by the Acting Director of Museums Department, Bantong bin Antaran, at the foundation-laying ceremony in Kota Batu.

The event was officiated by the guest of honour, Pehin Orang Kaya Major General (R) Dato Seri Pahiawan Haji Awang Mohammad bin Haji Daud, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports.

The maritime archaeology building that is being constructed by Pro Builders Company Sdn Bhd will be fully maintained by the Public Works Department headed by Architect Awang Sabri bin Haji Abd Hamid from the Technical Services Department.

The exhibition hall of the Maritime Archaeology Museum will display various artefacts depicting the link between mankind with the river and the sea since ancient times.

The project will also enable members of the public to understand the role of the country as a centre of maritime trade in ancient times and develop a sense of awareness and responsibility to appreciate the country's cultural heritage while promoting it as a tourism destination, he said.

The museum is located next to the Malay Technology Museum in Kota'Batu facing the Brunei River.

The building will comprise three galleries that will be used to exhibit the chronicles of the local community with the maritime existence along with the historical trade relations of Brunei with the other regions (in chronological order) as well as a display of shipwreck artefacts that have been discovered along Brunei waters.

The Maritime Museum consists of three floors that will also include storage rooms, main office, research room, meeting room, laboratory, public toilets, lobby area, living room, surau, three permanent exhibition halls and a temporary exhibition room.

The architectural drawing of the Maritime Museum building that illustrates' a ship-shaped Concept has been creatively infused with a modern design.  -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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