Background
The Chimney Museum is a museum site featuring the history of coal mining in Labuan around 1847 to 1911 and the history of Tanjung Kubong. While, the Chimney Tower, which is also known as ‘Punil’ by the nearby local community serve as historical landmark and proof of relics during rapid era of coal mining in Labuan which built in late 1890s. The museum that formerly known as the Chimney Information Centre was completed in 2000 and officially opened to public on 26 October 2002 by the late YB Datuk Seri Panglima Mohamed bin Omar Beldram, representative of the Parliament Member of Labuan.
Objective
- To carry out works in collecting, researching, documenting, conserving and preserving historical heritage in Labuan especially historical sites and monuments in the northern part of Labuan
- Being one of the informal educational institutions of the society and research reference centers that disseminate, elevate and preserve local heritage, history and culture.
- To raise public awareness on the importance of preserving national heritage and history especially in Labuan.
- Becoming one of the local historical tourism products which will further known within country and furthers outside Malaysia
Gallery
The two-storey building architecture was inspired by colonial-aged school in Labuan. On the ground floor, this museum exhibits a gallery featuring the earliest history of Labuan as the largest producer of coal mineral resources in the region until the development of the railway system which is believed to be among the earliest in Malaysia. Furthermore, visitors also can explore and experience a taste of atmosphere inside a coal mining tunnel through a special diorama. Meanwhile, another gallery on the top floor shows the uniqueness of the Chimney Tower which is still a mystery because the actual purpose of its construction hasn’t yet to be ascertained. Various hypotheses have been put forward to its purpose as a ventilation shaft, bricks smelting, light house, bell tower or a landmark during coal mining era in Labuan. There is also a hypothesis that the Chimney Tower was a telecommunication tower built during the British rule. The museum also displays the conservation works and archeological excavation of the Chimney Tower with 32.5 meters in height and surrounding sites conducted by the Department of Museums and Antiquities (now Department of Museums Malaysia) from 1997 and fully completed in 1999, and it is considered as one of the riskiest conservations work ever done in Malaysia. In 2013, the Chimney Tower was awarded with The International "Green Apple Awards" with bronze medal for the Architecture Heritage category from The Green Organization, in London.
Collections
Various mining artefacts collection are exhibited in this museum which are largely unearthed during conservations works and archaeological excavations at its surroundings. Among the museum’s fascinating collections are Chinese brass opium pipe, the ceramic artefacts used by miners, various of types of coal mining equipment, the remains of locomotives components of coal transportation trains ever operated in Labuan as well as the discovery of the original Chimney Tower bricks, largely originated from the British renowned factories in Scotland and a coal mining company in Labuan. Also display the different types of coal found around Tanjung Kubong Area.
Visiting Hours
Opens every day from 9.00 am - 5.00 pm
Closed on the first two days of Eid Al-Fitr and first day of Eid Al-Adha
Entrance Fees
Free admission
Service
• Guided Tour is available upon request
• The collection of CDs/ DVDs/ books published by the Department of Museums Malaysia are available for purchase.
Facilities
• Car Park
• Prayer Room
• Public Washroom
• Wheel Chair
• Food Stalls
Transportation
(From Town to Chimney Museum)
• Mini Bus No. 6 – Rates RM 3.50 (one way)
• Taxi– RM25.00 (current rates)
• Grab Car – RM19.00 (current rates)
Accomodation
• Palm Beach Resort
• Homestay
- Homestay Paadian Ku Kg Pantai
- Homestay Bukit Kuda
- Duan Homestay Kg Layang-layangan
- Pilly Homestay Kg Layang-layangan
Nearby Attractions
• Labuan Bird Park
• 18th Century Coal Mining Tunnel
• Batu Manikar Park
• Pohon Batu Beach
• Pancur Hitam Beach
• Anjung Ikan Bakar – Kg Lubok Temiang
• Anjung Ketam – Kg Tanjung Aru
• Peace Park, Layang-Layangan
• Labuan Chimney Walking Trail
(Ammunition Store (Gedung Ubat), British Graveyard (Alice), Tip of Kubong and Sea Arch Panorama)
Location Map