FACELIFT FOR HISTORICAL HILLTOP

Monday April 18, 2011

Historical hilltop to get facelift ‘

MALACCA: The historical site of St John's Hill here is poised to receive a major facelift after the state government gave approval for upgrading works at the hilltop.

Malacca Historic City councillor Ronald Gan Yong Hoe said he was informed by a state executive councillor that the allocation was approved during a special exco meeting following a report in The Star on Thursday about couples having sexual trysts on St John's Hill and St Paul's Hill.

“The city council has given the go-ahead for the installation of solar-powered lamp posts at the hilltop and to improve the surrounding areas,” he said after a visit to the site yesterday.

It was reported that Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ali Rustam had directed the local council to curb undesirable activities after he was briefed on the discovery of used condoms at the unlit St John's hilltop and lovers having their rendezvous at St Paul's Hill.

Gan said plans would be implemented to turn the hill into a tourist attraction.

Among them were asking the local authorities to acquire a plot below the hilltop to be turned into parking bays for tourist buses, public toilets and other tourist amenities.

“Currently, there are only a small number of tourists going to St John's Hill.

“More tourists will come if improvements to the facilities are carried out,” he added.