As Paul Senum carefully inspects a fire engine that has been sent for a regular maintenance check, he spots a screw that needs replacing. Such a discovery often makes his eyes glitter with excitement.
The saying ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure’ aptly describes the State Fire and Rescue Department (BOMBA Sarawak) senior mechanic’s gift of creating robot sculptures out of faulty parts and scrap metal pieces.
While other mechanics may dispose of such faulty parts, Paul, on the other hand, will keep them for his robot sculpture projects.
The talented 50-year-old would collect gearboxes, spark plugs, oil filters, bearings and springs, and assemble them into Iron Men.
Two of Paul’s creations dubbed as baby robots, each standing three feet tall and weighing approximately 25 kg to 30 kg are on display at BOMBA Sarawak’s workshop in Samariang here.
His two big robots, each weighing 100 kg and six feet tall, are on display at the department’s headquarters.
He revealed that the designs for his robots were often spontaneous with no or little planning behind the scenes and without any references.
He said the process of making a robot required a lot of imagination and creativity as the parts usually did not resemble any body parts in particular.
“I have the interests and passion to create these robot sculptures. Most of the time, it is based on my own initiatives. I believe it is better to repurpose faulty parts for my projects instead of throwing them away.
“To embark on such extraordinary projects requires interests and passion. Without these key factors, you won’t be able to create a magnificent Iron Man,” he told New Sarawak Tribune.
It takes approximately two weeks for Paul to gather the necessary parts before creating a masterpiece.
He is usually assisted by his colleagues, Bong Boon Kang, Ardi Sariie and Refazdly Ismail who are always on the lookout for hidden gems when they carry out repair and maintenance works.
“The challenge of creating a robot is looking for parts that look like an arm, a leg and fingers. So, I have to cut, saw and grind different pieces and then create a body part out of it,” he explained.
While most will call it a day after doing repair and maintenance work on the fire engines and vehicles, Paul often makes time to work on his projects.
He said assembling the pieces together would take a week but the larger and taller an Iron Man was, the longer it would take.
“It is time consuming because you can only start working on the project once you have gathered the necessary parts. These parts are not readily available so you have to be patient.
“I am very grateful that BOMBA Sarawak director Datuk Khirudin Drahman and my colleagues are very supportive of my hobby. They often come up with some ideas and suggestions when I am undertaking a project,” he said.
Paul is indeed one in a million as he is the only personnel in the department who has this gift.
He expressed hopes for others to have a similar interest and passion to create creative pieces.
“From patiently collecting parts here and there to meticulously assembling the pieces together gives me great satisfaction when I see my Iron Men come to life,” he said.
In view of this, Khirudin said the department encourages its personnel to undertake creative and innovative projects.
He pointed out that Paul was a great example of how the department was not just all about firefighting.
“The robot sculptures are put on display for others to admire because it is not something ordinary,” he said.
He also said the department would entrust Paul to create another robot to be put on display at the community learning centre (CLC) in Batu Lintang fire station.
“Children are curious in nature so they will appreciate the robots. They also like bright colours so we will try to make these robots more colourful in appearance,” he added.
