LITTLE INDIA ROAD REPAVED WITH COLOURED CONCRETE PAVEMENTS

Recently, the road at Little India near to Public Bank has been repaved with red concrete tiles.

They are more durable and colourful.

REVIVING MELAKA BYGONE TRAINS

Reviving Melaka's bygone railway network part of initiatives to expand tourism.

MELAKA: The revival of Melaka's bygone railway network is part of the 175 initiatives introduced by Chief Minister Sulaiman Md Ali to make Melaka a prosperous and progressive state.

Sulaiman said reliving the historic railway would aid development of the tourism industry in the Alor Gajah and Jasin districts.

"We must explore more tourism opportunities outside the heart of the historic city and making the historic Melaka railway a tourist product is one way," he said on Wednesday (Aug 26).

Sulaiman said the initiatives would come under the purview of 11 state executive councillor portfolios, with 39 under his care.

He said the initiatives would be tabled in the upcoming weekly exco meeting before being implemented.

"The initiatives are designed to benefit locals," he said.

Sulaiman said the initiatives are the beginning of a new chapter to ensure the well-being and prosperity of the local community.

"We no longer want to make empty promises and the efforts must ensure the initiatives materialise," he added.

Melaka was among the earliest states in the country to have a rail link, with a 32km track from Pulau Sebang station near Tampin in Negri Sembilan to the historic city.

Laid down by the British administration in 1905, the station holds many memories for residents nearby, who until today are known as the “Melaka's Railway Children”.

The service was managed by the then Malacca Government Railway before the tracks were said to have been dismantled by the Japanese army and transported to the Thailand and Myanmar border as materials for the 415km-long railway project where some 102,000 workers eventually died during World War II.

The Star featured the rail link in an article on the ruins of the Alor Gajah railway station in Jalan Keretapi in Pengkalan, Alor Gajah on July 26.

MELAKA FUTURE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

MELAKA: The RM682mil International Cruise Terminal (MICT), which is part of the Melaka Gateway project, is one of three seaports that expected to attract billions of ringgit into state coffers, says the Chief Minister.

Datuk Sulaiman Md Ali said the state expects an investment of RM100bil pouring into the three international ports.

"These three ports are projected to create various employment opportunities as well as generate revenues for the state," he said after launching the "Melakaku Maju Jaya" seminar at Ayer Keroh here Tuesday (Aug 25).

Sulaiman said the construction of the Kuala Linggi Port is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2021 while MICT was reported to debut by the end of this year.

He said the Kuala Linggi port would manage the oil and gas sector while Tanjung Beruas is for container shipments and MICT for tourism.

Sulaiman said the state is also planning to create a new economic corridor to attract high-impact investments.

"The corridor is known as the Melaka Waterfront Economic Zone (M-Wez)," he said.

Sulaiman said M-Wez is a new economic icon for the state and is jointly developed through state and private initiatives.

He said the corridors cover 20km of reclaimed coastal land.

“M-Wez will also incorporate all the three ports.

"The state will also have a High Speed Rail (HSR) station serving the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore route to promote the corridor’s economic development, ” he said.

Sulaiman added that M-Wez is one of the development projects under Melaka’s comprehensive development plan comprising short, medium and long-term plans from 2020 to 2035.

MELAKA RIVER CRUISE A BIG HIT

Melaka River cruise a big hit with excited visitors

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• NATION
• Monday, 24 Aug 2020
  By RSN MURALI

Cruising down the river: Melaka River cruise boats zooming past the waterway near the Stadthuys building.

MELAKA: The Melaka River cruise records an unusual increase of passengers to the extent that the public is willing to endure long queues to experience the ride.

Excited visitors were seen at two jetties patiently waiting for their turns for the 45-minute cruise.

Melaka River and Coastal Development Corporation communications and strategic director Azhar Yusof said the unusual number of passengers were recorded since Thursday.At 11.20pm on Saturday, a total of eight boats were seen teeming with passengers even as the sale of tickets for the cruise operations ends at 11pm.

He said they never expected such a huge number of visitors and had to place additional staff to ensure the recovery movement control order (MCO) health guidelines were adhered to.

“It is a tiring period for the cruise staff when managing the large crowds and we had to monitor and ensure that viirs don’t violate  recovery MCO.

“Anyway, it is a morale booster for my team to witness an overwhelming crowd choosing the service, ” he said yesterday.

Azhar said the total figure of the visitors would be known today.

He also said they would launch their Merdeka month promotion where Malaysians and those born in Melaka on Aug 31 would be eligible for a free cruise.

“The details of the promotion will be made public soon, ” he said.

   

SCENES OF MELAKA OVER THE YEARS

Here is a collection of Melaka scenes over the years.

Enjoy.

Tongkang on Melaka River

Japanese soldiers in streets of Malacca (1942-1945)

TONGKANG ON MELAKA RIVER OF YESTERYEARS

An invaluable photo of a tingling on the Melaka River of yesteryears.

CLASSIC LEK KO PORK STALL AT JALAN BUNGA RAYA

At Jalan Bunga Raya, Melaka there is a famous pork stall at the lane. Called Lek Ko pork stall, it has been operating there for decades. Operated by the Ho family, this stall is still opened for business.

TOP 10 NYONYA RESTAURANTS IN MELAKA

When it comes to visiting the historical city of Malacca (Melaka), one of their must-try local dishes would be the Peranakan Nyonya dishes. And with plenty of them available, here are the recommended Top 10 Nyonya Restaurants in Malacca to check out the next time you drop by!

1) Licious Kitchen Melaka Nyonya Licious Kitchen Melaka
Beyond its cosy and somewhat ordinary-looking interior lies a restaurant that knows plenty about serving good Nyonya dishes. More specifically, delicious homecooked-style Nyonya food using traditional recipes. Nyonya Licious Kitchen Melaka prefers to keep things simple, offering familiar Nyonya favourites like Nyonya Laksa (one of their restaurant’s signature dishes), Nyonya Gerang Asam (Asam Pedas) and Ayam Pongteh. Also, don’t forget to end your meal with a sweet finish of their bestselling Nyonya Cendol. FB: nyonyalicious | IG: @nyonyaliciouskitchen

2) Donald and Lily Restaurant Donald and Lily Restaurant

Husband-and-wife team Donald Tan and Lily Lee is no stranger to serving home-style Peranakan dishes since the 80s. Using only fresh ingredients, expect robust-flavoured food like Nyonya Laksa, Nasi Ayam Pongteh (spelt “Pongtay” in their menu) and Udang Lemak Nanas. If you are up for something special, Donald and Lily’s Premium Super Huat Laksa really lives up to its name. Think of it as an extravagant version of Nyonya Laksa, complete with large prawns and few hardboiled eggs. Otherwise, do look out for their daily specials too! FB: donaldandlily | IG: @mydonaldandlily


3) Manis J Nyonya Restaurant Manis J Nyonya Restaurant
Family-owned Manis J Nyonya Restaurant prides itself in preserving the authenticity of traditional Peranakan Nyonya cuisine. And that’s what they are good at, with family recipes used in familiar entrées such as Ayam Buah Keluak, Ikan Cili Garam, Sambal Petai Udang and Itik Tim. For desserts, they have good old cendol and sago pudding — both of which are perfectly sweetened with Gula Melaka syrup. FB: manisjnyonya

4) Aunty Lee’s Nyonya Restaurant Aunty Lee's Nyonya Restaurant
Open since 1997, Aunty Lee retains her tradition when it comes to serving Peranakan Nyonya cuisine. Tradition includes preparing food the good old-fashioned way such as using the pestle and mortar to pound chillies for sambal belacan. Some of the must-order dishes include Chilli Garam Fish (her house speciality), Asam Pedas and Ayam Buah Keluak. For dessert, go for her signature cendol that uses only fresh coconut milk drizzled with Gula Melaka syrup.
auntylee.com.my | FB: Aunty Lee’s Nyonya Restaurant

5) Amy Heritage Nyonya Cuisine Amy Heritage Nyonya Cuisine

Authentic recipes, fresh ingredients and full-bodied flavours — this is what Amy Heritage Nyonya Cuisine does best! Their scrumptious array of Nyonya dishes such as Ayam Pongteh, Ikan Cili Garam and Udang Goreng Asam are some of the must-order dishes here. Don’t forget their dessert too, particularly the coconut milk-enriched cendol with a generous amount of Gula Melaka. FB: AmyHeritageNyonyaCuisine

6) Nancy’s Kitchen Nancy's Kitchen

Family-run Nancy’s Kitchen needs no introduction, given its popularity as among the go-to restaurants for authentic Nyonya dishes. Founder and chef Nancy combines fresh ingredients and family recipes to bring out the best in every dish. Some of her bestsellers include Bak Wan Bebola (fried pork balls), Ayam Buah Keras (chicken candlenut) and Ikan Cencaru Sumbat Sambal (fried torpedo scad stuffed with sambal). Here’s a friendly reminder, though: if you are planning to visit Nancy’s Kitchen, it’s best to make a reservation beforehand to avoid disappointment.
eatatnancyskit.com | FB: nancyskitchenmelaka | IG: @nancyskit

7) Restoran Baba Ang
Operated by a husband-and-wife team, Restoran Baba Ang specialises in home-cooked Peranakan dishes and other local food. For the latter, you can find familiar varieties like Chicken Kurma and Ayam Masak Merah (spicy tomato chicken). But it is their former cuisine that matters the most, offering flavourful meals such as Ayam Pongteh, Ayam Buah Keluak and Ikan Cili Garam. Their simple, no-frills environment is just as attractive with a homey interior.
FB: restoranbabaang | IG: @restoranbabaang

8) Restoran Nyonya Makko Restoran Nyonya Makko
For over 35 years, Restoran Nyonya Makko has been specialising in their authentic Peranakan cuisine. Here, you can expect robust and savoury favourites like Ayam Pongteh, Udang Masak Lemak Nanas (Pineapple Prawn Curry) and Nyonya Chap Chye (Nyonya Mixed Vegetables). You can locate their restaurant at Jalan Merdeka in Taman Melaka Raya.
FB: Nyonya Makko

9) Restaurant Ole Sayang Nyonya Food Restaurant Ole Sayang Nyonya Food

Here’s some interesting trivia about this eatery, which has been around since 1983. Apparently, Restoran Ole Sayang Nyonya Food happens to be the first restaurant of its kind in Melaka that serves authentic Nyonya cuisines. And as expected, their dishes are prepared and cooked according to the traditional family recipes. Their menu consists of everything from chicken (e.g. Ayam Buah Keluak, Ayam Pongteh) to seafood (e.g. Udang Masak Lemak Nanas, Ikan Goreng Cili Garam) and vegetables (e.g. Nyonya Chap Chye, Kangkung Goreng Cili). They also serve value-for-money set menus, offering mostly white rice with a selected main dish and mixed vegetable averaging at RM 10+ onwards.
olesayang.com |

10) Nyonya Delight Nyonya Delight

Serving home-style Nyonya food under a basic-looking stall attached to the corner of a wooden house, Nyonya Delight is particularly known for their flavourful Nyonya Laksa. Some of the other dishes you can find at Nyonya Delight include nasi lemak, lontong, mee siam, ayam rendang and cendol. Do keep an eye on their social media pages for daily specials such as Sambal Udang Belimbing and Ikan Cencaru Goreng. FB: nyonyadelight | IG: @nyonyadelight