Meanwhile, the much-awaited Melaka Tram, the world's first environmentally friendly tram that runs on a Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) engine, is expected to begin operations in April next year.
The RM272 million project linking Ayer Keroh and Banda Hilir, described as the most effective mode of transport to overcome the traffic woes in the Historical City, would take one year to complete once construction starts in April.
Ali said that details of the project were being displayed at three locations in the state and also at the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) office in Menara Dayabumi, Kuala Lumpur.
"The public can give their feedback after studying the project details at the Melaka Mall and at Wisma Negeri, both in Ayer Keroh, and also at the Tourist Information Centre in Jalan Kota.
The Melaka Tram, a joint venture between Mrails International Sdn Bhd and Chief Minister Incorporated (CMI), would have 23 stops along a 40km-route from Ayer Keroh to Banda Hilir, the heart of the historical city.
The tram is a rail borne vehicle, lighter than a train and differed from other forms of locomotion, as the tracks were embedded in the street.
It would be able to accommodate 120 passengers at any one time, cater to the disabled because of its ground-level design and would operate at a speed of 40kmh.
Ticket for the tram ride will be priced at RM2 for a single journey but students and senior citizens could ride for free. A day pass, priced at RM5, would also available.
Webmaster: The tram will also travel into Melaka New Chinatown at Jalan Bendahara and Jalan Bunga Raya Pantai. Once ready, Melaka New Chinatown can be accessed easily by visitors.
Bringing Melaka New Chinatown to the World. GPS: 2°11'58"N 102°15'02"E
Melaka New Chinatown
Kee Ann Road
Monday, January 16, 2012
HERITAGE TAX REPLACED WITH FIXED RATE
January 16, 2012 17:53 PM
Melaka Abolishes 5 Percent Heritage Charge, Replaces It With RM2 Charge
MELAKA, Jan 16 (Bernama) -- The state government has abolished the five percent heritage charge imposed on hotels, lodging houses and homestays and replaced it with a RM2 charge.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the charge was abolished because of objections by hotel, lodging house and homestay operators who felt it had a negative impact on their businesses.
"Discussions were held today with their representatives whereby they have agreed to the new charge," he told reporters after a dialogue on the heritage charge, here today.
Mohd Ali said based on the RM2 charge, guests would only have to add RM2 to their room rates.
He said the RM2 charge which would involve 12,000 hotel rooms, lodging houses and homestays throughout Melaka was expected to be enforced in April.
"The state expects to collect at least RM4 million each year from the charge, which would be utilised for developing the tourism sector.
"Operators must duly settle the charge monthly with the local authorities such as the Melaka Historical City Council, Hang Tuah Jaya municipal council, Alor Gajah municipal council and Jasin municipal council," he said.
He added that a heritage charge implementing committee would be formed to facilitate the process.
-- BERNAMA
Melaka Abolishes 5 Percent Heritage Charge, Replaces It With RM2 Charge
MELAKA, Jan 16 (Bernama) -- The state government has abolished the five percent heritage charge imposed on hotels, lodging houses and homestays and replaced it with a RM2 charge.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the charge was abolished because of objections by hotel, lodging house and homestay operators who felt it had a negative impact on their businesses.
"Discussions were held today with their representatives whereby they have agreed to the new charge," he told reporters after a dialogue on the heritage charge, here today.
Mohd Ali said based on the RM2 charge, guests would only have to add RM2 to their room rates.
He said the RM2 charge which would involve 12,000 hotel rooms, lodging houses and homestays throughout Melaka was expected to be enforced in April.
"The state expects to collect at least RM4 million each year from the charge, which would be utilised for developing the tourism sector.
"Operators must duly settle the charge monthly with the local authorities such as the Melaka Historical City Council, Hang Tuah Jaya municipal council, Alor Gajah municipal council and Jasin municipal council," he said.
He added that a heritage charge implementing committee would be formed to facilitate the process.
-- BERNAMA
Sunday, January 15, 2012
NO PROPER JETTY FOR CRUISE PASSENGERS
Monday January 16, 2012
No proper jetty for cruise passengers
I REFER to K.T. Teh’s “Let’s make Malaysia ‘Best in Asia’ tour destination” (The Star, Jan 11).
I visit the Malacca jetty area almost every week as an agent for the cruise ship calling on Malacca.
Our efforts to get some improvements to the jetty from the state government to attract more tourists have not been fruitful.
The state government has arranged to dredge the river mouth towards the CIQ building that is under construction but the dredging will not in anyway assist in promoting tourism via sea.
There is no proper jetty for these passengers to disembark. The vessels drop anchor near the river mouth and tourists are transferred to the jetty which is congested with fishing/cargo boats and is an eyesore.
The state government has done nothing to improve this.
Though the jetty may be privately owned, the state government’s participation to transform the area is inevitable.
There is a lot of red tape over the dredging, and when we requested for assistance from the government for the jetty they are not able to assist due to the cost factor.
While the Tourism Ministry is doing the promotion on one side, the bureaucracy at the state level is pulling in the opposite direction.
How can tourism be expected to grow?
One officer even had the cheek to say: “We are not interested in your tourists”.
This kind of attitude will kill not boost the tourism industry.
It is high time the ministry steps in to check what is happening in Malacca and come up with a real action plan to boost the industry.
DRAGON MAN,
Port Klang.
No proper jetty for cruise passengers
I REFER to K.T. Teh’s “Let’s make Malaysia ‘Best in Asia’ tour destination” (The Star, Jan 11).
I visit the Malacca jetty area almost every week as an agent for the cruise ship calling on Malacca.
Our efforts to get some improvements to the jetty from the state government to attract more tourists have not been fruitful.
The state government has arranged to dredge the river mouth towards the CIQ building that is under construction but the dredging will not in anyway assist in promoting tourism via sea.
There is no proper jetty for these passengers to disembark. The vessels drop anchor near the river mouth and tourists are transferred to the jetty which is congested with fishing/cargo boats and is an eyesore.
The state government has done nothing to improve this.
Though the jetty may be privately owned, the state government’s participation to transform the area is inevitable.
There is a lot of red tape over the dredging, and when we requested for assistance from the government for the jetty they are not able to assist due to the cost factor.
While the Tourism Ministry is doing the promotion on one side, the bureaucracy at the state level is pulling in the opposite direction.
How can tourism be expected to grow?
One officer even had the cheek to say: “We are not interested in your tourists”.
This kind of attitude will kill not boost the tourism industry.
It is high time the ministry steps in to check what is happening in Malacca and come up with a real action plan to boost the industry.
DRAGON MAN,
Port Klang.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
MELAKA NEW CHINATOWN PREPARES FOR CHINESE NEW YEAR OF DRAGON
Melaka New Chinatown is preparing to usher in the Year of the Dragon which falls on 23rd. Janusry 2012.
Jalan Kee Ann will be hosting the annual night market for shoppers to buy New Year goodies such as cookies, cakes, muruku, kacang goreng and others. Being a multi ethnic society, you can buy cookies of various races.
Stalls will be set up along Jalan Kee Ann until CNY Eve on next Sunday. On the eve, the Family Reunion Dinner is held at home or at restaurants within Melaka Historic City. Family members from overseas and outstation are expected to come home for this Reunion Dinner before celebrating the New Year the following day.
Come and visit Melaka and celebrate the Chinese New Year with Malaccans. On 1st and 2nd. day of Chinese New Year, most eateries are opened for business. Being a historic city, most Malaccans value visitors to Melaka during this time and we want to share our joy with visitors, relatives and friends.
QONG XI FA CAI IN THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON.
Jalan Kee Ann will be hosting the annual night market for shoppers to buy New Year goodies such as cookies, cakes, muruku, kacang goreng and others. Being a multi ethnic society, you can buy cookies of various races.
Stalls will be set up along Jalan Kee Ann until CNY Eve on next Sunday. On the eve, the Family Reunion Dinner is held at home or at restaurants within Melaka Historic City. Family members from overseas and outstation are expected to come home for this Reunion Dinner before celebrating the New Year the following day.
Come and visit Melaka and celebrate the Chinese New Year with Malaccans. On 1st and 2nd. day of Chinese New Year, most eateries are opened for business. Being a historic city, most Malaccans value visitors to Melaka during this time and we want to share our joy with visitors, relatives and friends.
QONG XI FA CAI IN THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON.
Friday, December 16, 2011
MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012 AND GONG XI FA CAI
In two weeks' time, we will be celebrating Merry Christmas and the end of 2011. We will usher in the New Year 2011 as well. At the same time, by the 3rd. Week of January 2012, billions of Chinese around the world will celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Golden Dragon. All these festivities will be celebrated within 1 month.
As we celebrate X'mas, New Year and Chinese New Year, may we take this opportunity to wish everyone well. May Peace prevail around the World so that everyone can enjoy happiness, wealth and health. Let us usher in these celebrations by sharing with the unfortunate and provide them with warmth and joy as we are One of the Kind in this Earth of ours.
Happy Holidays and Happy Celebrations to Everyone.
www.tourism-melaka.com
Monday, December 12, 2011
NEW HOTEL TO OPEN IN 2012
12th. December 2011A newly renovated budget hotel will open at Jalan Kee Ann in 2012.
There will be about 80 rooms with cafe, reception and other facilities. When completed, Jalan Kee Ann will have more tourist traffic and enliven up the street especially at night.
Current hotels around the area include Mimosa Hotel and Goldleaf Hotel.
WANGKANG FESTIVAL FROM 1.2.2012 TO 6.2.2012
10th.December 2011
After an absence of 10 years, the Wangkang Festival will be held again in the historic city of Melaka from 1st.to 6th. February 2012.
This Wangkang Festival was held in 1933, 2001 and now in 2012.
The Wangkang Festival is of Hokkien origin, and it is held in China, only in Chiang Chew Hoo and Chuan Chew Hoo ( 2 very large districts of the Hokkien province ) and in Malacca.
In the early days, it was also held in Manila, but I don’t know whether it is still being held there or not. I have heard of it also being held in Sarawak.
During the persecution of the Chinese by the Manchus in the Ching Dynasty about 3 centuries ago, a great many Hokkien people emigrated from China and some of them sailed towards Malaya, and the first country they reached was Malacca, where they settled down and worshipped the Ong Yahs as they had been used to in their own country.
As customary, their descendants – the Straits-Born Chinese – followed their footsteps in worshipping five Ong Yahs and this is why Malacca is the only place in Malaya, where the Wangkang procession is held.
This festival was last held in Melaka in 2001 and 1933. Now, a procession ofthe Wangkang through the streets of Melaka City which covers over 20km, will be held on 6th. February 2012 before the Wangkang will be burnt in the Straits of Melaka off Pulau Melaka.
This is a festival for all and all are invited to witness this once a lifetime event. Tourists will be able to witness this unforgettable event and to take part in festival which will be held from 1st. Februaryto6th. February 2012.
For more details and read aboutthis festival, please log into: www.yongchuantian.com.
After an absence of 10 years, the Wangkang Festival will be held again in the historic city of Melaka from 1st.to 6th. February 2012.
This Wangkang Festival was held in 1933, 2001 and now in 2012.
The Wangkang Festival is of Hokkien origin, and it is held in China, only in Chiang Chew Hoo and Chuan Chew Hoo ( 2 very large districts of the Hokkien province ) and in Malacca.
In the early days, it was also held in Manila, but I don’t know whether it is still being held there or not. I have heard of it also being held in Sarawak.
During the persecution of the Chinese by the Manchus in the Ching Dynasty about 3 centuries ago, a great many Hokkien people emigrated from China and some of them sailed towards Malaya, and the first country they reached was Malacca, where they settled down and worshipped the Ong Yahs as they had been used to in their own country.
As customary, their descendants – the Straits-Born Chinese – followed their footsteps in worshipping five Ong Yahs and this is why Malacca is the only place in Malaya, where the Wangkang procession is held.
This festival was last held in Melaka in 2001 and 1933. Now, a procession ofthe Wangkang through the streets of Melaka City which covers over 20km, will be held on 6th. February 2012 before the Wangkang will be burnt in the Straits of Melaka off Pulau Melaka.
This is a festival for all and all are invited to witness this once a lifetime event. Tourists will be able to witness this unforgettable event and to take part in festival which will be held from 1st. Februaryto6th. February 2012.
For more details and read aboutthis festival, please log into: www.yongchuantian.com.
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