At 80, man realises lifelong dream with towering ship replica in Pulau Raya
TANAH MERAH: At the age of 80, former farmer Chung Ting Bun has fulfilled his lifelong dream by building a three-storey replica of a ship near his home in Pulau Raya.
He said the construction of the replica is a tribute to his great-grandfather, a Chinese immigrant who settled in the area more than five decades ago.
The father of four said he began constructing the 10-metre-high structure in 1999 to commemorate the legacy of his great-grandfather, Chung Chun Seng, who first arrived in Pulau Raya in 1970.
He said the project, located about 300 metres from his house, was a personal endeavour into which he poured thousands of ringgit from his own savings.
With the help of several friends, Chung used concrete to craft the intricate replica, deliberately leaving it unpainted and unadorned to preserve an authentic, weathered appearance.
"The design is meant to reflect history as it was – raw and real," he told the New Straits Times.
Adding a unique twist, Chung built a small replica of an aeroplane on the top level of the ship, symbolising his ancestor's connection between Malaysia and China.
"This replica is more than just a structure.
"It's a tribute to my great-grandfather, who first landed here by ship and later travelled back and forth to China by plane.
"It tells a story that I want future generations in our village to remember," he added.
Chung hopes the replica will one day serve as a tourist attraction in Pulau Raya, complementing the village's proud legacy as the birthplace of the famed durian kunyit variety.
"I hope this becomes one of the new attractions in our village," he said, beaming with pride.
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