MELAKA HISTORICAL SITES SECURITY TO BE ENHANCED

Friday June 10, 2011

Malacca to boost security at historical sites, says CM
By R.S.N. MURALI
murali@thestar.com.my


MALACCA: The state government has initiated measures to protect its historical sites following the theft of wheels from ancient Portuguese cannons on top of St John's Hill at Bandar Hilir on Wednesday.

Describing the theft as a threat to the state's artefacts, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said he would immediately see to it that all historical sites in the state have CCTV facilities.

“We have to seriously consider beefing up security at these sites after the recent theft including placing guards, especially at sites in the World Heritage Zone,” he told reporters after the groundbreaking ceremony for Malacca's Hard Rock Cafe yesterday.

Mohd Ali said he would direct the relevant authorities to secure outdoor artefacts with locks and chains to prevent thieves from carting away items like cannons.


Lighting up: Workers conducting immediate remedial work to light up St John’s Hill after Wednesday’s theft.
He said CCTVs should be installed inside museums and other enclosed historical sites to prevent such occurrence in the future.

“This (thefts) should not have happened in the first place but I believe it's the work of drug addicts,” he said.

He said the state would work with the police to nab those responsible for the theft.

“I hope scrap metal dealers will inform us or the police if they come across anyone attempting to dispose of these wheels,” he said.

Twenty solid cast iron wheels that supported five ancient Portuguese cannons on top of the hill went missing on Wednesday each cannon with four wheels weighs between 500kg and 600kg.

Malacca has several historical sites, including the A Famosa, Stadhuys, St Paul's Church, Bukit Cina, Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, Dol Said's Grave, Hang Li Poh and Hang Tuah wells.

This is the second theft involving state artefacts.

In March 2008, eight Malay keris and three Dutch-era pistols were stolen from the Malacca Ethnography Museum.

HAPPY WESAK DAY TO ALL BUDDHISTS TOMORROW

Tomorrow is Wesak Day for all Buddhists. Wesak is the birthday,Enlightment day and Death date of Gautama Buddha who preached Bu
Buddhism to the world more than 2,500 years ago.

May we extend our Wesak greetings to all Buddhists on this auspicious occasion. It is our time to remember the Teachings of Buddha and practice the Middle Path so that we can reach Enlightment in our own lives.

Let us remember that our lives in this physical world are transient. Our lives are not permanent but we should strive towards Enlightenment so that we can break the vicious cycle of Rebirth. Being Born is suffering and to end our suffering, we must work towards Nirvana where we can break our Rebirth.

Don't be afraid of Death, Beware of Birth.
Death is the beginning of rebirth.g
Living is on the way to death.
Cessation of suffering means no rebirth.
This is the Truth of no Rebirth (Nirvana)

HAPPY WESAK.

FIREFLY-MELAKA AIR TO TAKE OFF ON 11.11.11

Saturday May 14, 2011

FireFly-Melaka Air will boost state as tourist destination
BY R.S.N.MURALI
murali@thestar.com.my


MALACCA: The Batu Berendam International airport here is poised to get a stimulus with a new airline interested in turning the facility into its air transportation hub.

Servicing seven air routes between Thailand, Indonesia and local sectors, the FireFly-Melaka Air is expected to make its maiden flight on Nov 11, 2011, symbolising the favourite numbers for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak - (11/11/11).

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said NN Flyers, a aviation company based in Kuala Lumpur who holds an equity of 90% in the company will collaborate with state-owned agency, Yayasan Melaka, who owns a 10% share in the airlines.


Affordable air travel: Budget carriers like Firefly is making transit time faster for busy people.

“NNFlyers will lease the ATR-72 aircraft from MAS affiliate FireFly with the cost of USD190,000 where the collaboration will be known as Firefly-Melaka Air,” he said after chairing the weekly Exco meeting here on Wednesday.

Mohd Ali added that the airlines will serve Medan, Pekan Baru, Padang and Pelembang in Indonesia, Hatyai in Thailand while Penang and Kota Baru are the two local routes.

The frequency of flights are between three to four times in a week while the ticket prices are expected to be announced later.

Mohd Ali said he had calculated the maintenance of each aircraft at RM800,000 including the salaries of crew members of the new airline.

“We anticipate the revenue of the new airline to be lucrative considering that Malacca is a top tourist destination,” he said.

He also noted that two other airlines Wings Air and Riau Airlines that have landing rights at the airport here would not be affected by the debut of the new service.

The airt transporation providers currently serves Pekan Baru-Malacca-Pekan Baru with frequencies of three flights, a week.

On a separate matter, Mohd Ali announced that foreigners will be granted to procure properties here that cost more than RM200,000 but with the condition that they have to fork out a levy of 2%.

He said the new ruling will take effect immediately where the revenue collected from such levies would be used to aid the needy in the state.

Mohd Ali added that the collection will be channelled to state Public Aid Fund where the fund would be wisely utilised to aid the locals who are in need of financial assistances.

He said the state hoped to yield some type of revenue due from the property boom in the state, especially with the overwhelming demand from foreigners, especially Singaporeans who are keen to own properties here.

HISTORICAL SHIP WREAKS OFF MELAKA SHORES

Tuesday May 10, 2011

Shipwrecks off Tg. Tuan may contain historical treasure

MALACCA: The state government is attempting to salvage dozens of shipwrecks found off the coast near Tanjung Tuan here, which may yield artefacts worth billions of ringgit.

State Tourism, Culture and Heritage committee chairman Datuk Latiff Tamby Chik said the shipwrecks, some of which were 500 years old, were discovered during a survey conducted by the National Heritage Department and Royal Malaysian Navy.

“Some of these vessels could be from the time of the Malacca Sultanate and some from the period between 1600s and 1800s.

“It's an important find with rich historical value for Malacca,” said Latiff after visiting Hang Li Poh Well here yesterday.

The shipwrecks were located on the seabed some 100m from the surface, he added.

Latiff said authorities believed the shipwrecks could include Raja Hajiand Bulan Linggi, two vessels used by the Malay rulers between 1600 and 1650.

Most, he added, were probably merchant ships on their way to Malacca before they sank.

“The cost of salvaging one of these ships could cost up to RM3mil but the artefacts recovered can reach up to billions of ringgit,” he said, adding that the state government was trying to salvage the wrecks with the help of foreign deep-sea recovery companies.

He said the area had been identified as a potential National Heritage site. He said more wrecks were expected to be discovered by the state's Maritime Museum and other related agencies, including vessels which sunk during World War II.

“It is also learnt the Tanjung Tuan stretch is an ideal environment for conserving shipwrecks due to its temperature and oxygen levels, allowing these to remain virtually intact for hundreds of years,” he said.

On another matter, Latiff said the maintenance of 26 historical sites in the state had been assigned to Malacca Historical City Council and theMuseum Corporation of Malacca, which took over from the National Heritage Department on May 1.

“We hope there will be scheduled maintenance to ensure these sites are not neglected,” he said.

CHINESE HISTORY GALLERY IN MELAKA

Sunday May 1, 2011

Chinese history gallery to be housed in Malacca’s heritage site

By MARTIN CARVALHO and YUEN MEIKENG
newsdesk@thestar.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: The proposed museum in Malacca to exhibit the Chinese community's contributions to the nation will be sited at the heart of the historical city in Banda Hilir.

Malacca Museum Corporation (Perzim) general manager Khamis Abassaid Banda Hilir was chosen as the location as it was “a core historical zone”, which consisted of other museums and galleries.

“Banda Hilir is a strategic place. It is also bustling with tourists and is a heritage centre,” he said yesterday.

Historical state: Visitors sightseeing at the A’ Famosa fort in Banda Hilir recently. The site is rich with various iconic architectures.

The museum, he added, was expected to be ready in 2013.

Khamis said Perzim was directed by the Malacca Government to assist in the setting-up of the museum and discussions had been ongoing.

“So far, nothing has been confirmed but we will look into the history of the Chinese community and its role in Malaysian society,” he said.

He said Perzim would meet the state Economic Planning Unit and other parties on May 6 to discuss details of the project.

On Friday, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said the party would set up a museum to exhibit the contributions of the community before and after the nation gained independence.

Dr Chua said the museum would highlight the achievements of past Chinese leaders in helping the country gain independence and also the contributions of influen- tial individuals from the Malay and Indian communities.

Tan Sri Tan Cheng Swee, one of MCA's early founding members, lauded the plan and hoped it would show what the Chinese had done for the country.

“I hope that the information presented in the museum will be accurate,” said Tan, 90.

He also said he hoped to see the work of prominent Chinese leaders such as MCA founder Tun Tan Cheng Lock presented in the museum.

Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said he was happy that the state would be home to the country's first Chinese museum.

“It is a good idea and we welcome the move.

“The millions who visit here will be able to learn about Chinese culture in Malaysia when visiting the museum,” he said, adding that the state would help promote the museum as part of its cultural tourism sector.

Badan Warisan committee member Josephine Chua said it was an honour for the state to have a museum dedicated to Chinese history.

“Malacca was one of the earliest sites for the entry of Chinese into the country.

“One can still find Peranakans who are descendants of early Chinese traders who settled here hundreds of years ago.”

Malacca MCA chief Datuk Gan Tian Loo said Malacca was the ideal site for the museum.

“Malacca played a significant role in Chinese history, not only in Malaysia but also the region.

“Most overseas Chinese including those from China know about Malaysia owing to this,” he said.

MELAKA HISTORICAL CITY METERED TAXIS

State's first fleet of metered cabs

2011/04/24
By Dawn Chan

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KUALA LUMPUR: Historical city, Malacca, has added another feather to its cap by having its first metered taxi service called 1Malaysia Cab.

Operated by Warisan Astana Sdn Bhd, the 1Malaysia Cab services started in Malacca in October last year.

It offers Malacca folk and tourists metered taxi services that can be hired via its hunting line.

Warisan Astana executive director Ismail Mahmood said there are 20 executive cabs in Malacca and their fleet are easily recognisable through the trademark blue colour codes. The cars used are Kia Optima and Toyota Innova.

Six months into its operations, Ismail said the service is well-received by both locals and tourists with a cab making an average of seven to eight trips daily.

By end of the year, Ismail said the company is targeting to increase the number of cabs to 50.

"We decided to start this taxi service as there are a lot of city taxis here that don't use meters. They are said to be charging passengers exorbitantly, between RM15 to RM20, for a short ride from Bandar Hilir to Jonker Street. We've tested the system and our meter showed that the trip costs only about RM9.

"Our presence in Malacca does not threaten the livelihood of other cabbies as we focus largely on tourists. We can also ferry passengers all over the country through a packaged deal.

"We complement the city taxis as Malacca does not have executive taxi services. Besides, the public now has an option in terms of transport," said Ismail.

1Malaysia Cab services operate on a tariff approved by the government. Ismail said the meter starts at RM6 and for every 100m it travels, there will be a 20 sen increase.

If the taxi is stationary, the meter jumps 20 sen every 20 seconds. If a passenger calls for a taxi through its hunting line, an additional RM2 will be charged.

Asked if the starting price of RM6 was steep, Ismail said: "We want passengers to try out our executive taxis because our vehicles are comfortable and spacious. We prioritise the safety of our passengers and our taxis are equipped with Global Positioning System devices and their whereabouts can be tracked.

"The GPS system also allows us to inform our passengers the taxis estimated time of arrival at their doorstep should they call for one through the hunting line. Those are our added services.

"Also, the issue of our drivers not using meters will not arise as we have installed seat sensors that activate the meter automatically. Receipts will be issued upon request," he said.

As part of its promotional campaign to increase awareness of its service, Ismail said they're offering a 20 per cent discount to passengers.

Warisan Astana is also working with hotels such as A'Famosa Resort in Alor Gajah and Renaissance Hotel that allow its executive taxis to be based on their premises for the use of hotel guests.

Pahlawan Mall in Bandar Hilir, he added, has also allowed Warisan Astana to have its own taxi stand in front of the complex.

On May 1, they are expected to start their services at the Malacca International Airport.

The 1Malaysia Cab is based at the Malacca International Trade Centre in Ayer Keroh. It operates from 6am to midnight daily. For a cab, call 06-2331 666.

FUN WITH DRY ICE AT MALACCA PLANETARIUM

'Fun with dry ice' programme at Malacca Planetarium

2011/04/11

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MALACCA: Students will have a chance to be a scientist for the day at Malacca Planetarium's "Fun With Dry Ice" programme.

The programme will be held on two weekends on April 23 and 24 and April 30 and May 1.

The programme will feature two main experiments using frozen carbon dioxide or dry ice.

Programme director Gomathy Ramasamy of Planetarium Melaka Sdn Bhd said the first experiment would be the classic dry ice bubble demonstration.

"In this experiment, after dry ice is added to a cylinder of coloured warm water and dish washing liquid, students can see a cascade of bubbles vanish in a puff of fog.

"This is a definite 'must-try' experiment," she said.

"There's just something extraordinary about using dry ice as science teachers call the process as solid turns into gas sublimation but for the children, they simply find it amazing."

The second experiment is for deep space object lovers.

"It would feature a 'do-it-yourself comet demonstration', also using frozen carbon dioxide and other materials which you can easily obtain from local stores.

"This activity will introduce the members of the community to the structure of comets, which are in the solar system, and learn the interaction between the comets and the Sun.

"They can make a miniature comet and watch it sublimates, just like when a real comet being heated by the Sun.

"We use dry ice to make a comet because when a comet is far away from the Sun, the carbon dioxide compound remains frozen in the form of dry ice. As it approaches the Sun, the dry ice sublimates and leaves the remains on the location of impact."

For more information, log on to the Planetarium Melaka's website at www.melakaplanetarium.com, or call 06-232 2122/2424.