Jailani was speaking to reporters after witnessing the signing of memoranda of understanding for the development of a 22km-long "Maglev" transportation system (involving trains operating on an electromagnetic system) which will connect Melaka's tourist hotspots, as well as the development of the theme park.
He said the investment value for the Maglev line was estimated at US$200 million (about RM900 million).
The MoUs involved several companies, namely Taming Sari Bhd, the banking institutions of Exim Credit Dubai Zurich Capital Bank and Sparco Bank UK, and the Korea Camping Caravanning Federation A Divisional Corporation (KCCF).--BERNAMA
Reopening the discussion on the continuity of the Dumai-Malacca RORO ferry project, after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Riau governor H Syamsuar and Melaka Tourism, Heritage, and Culture Committee chairman Datuk Muhammad Jailani Khamis held the discussion in May this year.
Jokowi said speeding up physical connectivity will help the subregion’s economic growth and vision to become an integrated, innovative, inclusive and sustainable sub-region by 2036.
The tourism sector also needs to be revitalised through digital marketing, sustainable tourism development, and the launch of the IMT-GT Visit Year 2023-2025 initiative.
While halal tourism continues to be developed, he said, the sub-region must identify the right green economy opportunity to achieve sustainable energy development, as stated in the Green City Development Framework 2019-2036.
Brothers Andrew Loke, Ambrose Loke and David Liao (upper right of display) with the SFI Heritage Centre management team, alumni, and other guests. (Adrian David pic)
BANDA HILIR: They are a dying breed, but the teaching brothers of the St John’s Baptist de La Salle mission – an order of the Catholic church – are a resilient and dynamic lot.
These men – laypersons who have committed their lives to religious and educational service – have put in tremendous effort to ensure their legacy remains intact among the 29 La Salle schools in peninsular Malaysia, and six associated schools in Sabah and Sarawak.
These efforts now include a new heritage centre that was launched on Oct 8 at St Francis Institution (SFI) in Banda Hilir, Melaka. This was held in conjunction with SFI’s 120th-anniversary celebrations that included a Mass at the school chapel, followed by dinner in the quadrangle.
SFI director Brother Ambrose Loke, his younger sibling and La Salle Malaysia director Brother Andrew Loke, and Brother David Liao officiated the launch, which was attended by Lasallian alumni and others.
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The three rang the 112-year-old Heritage Bell 12 times to symbolically declare open the RM100,000 centre.
According to Andrew, his elder sibling had mooted the idea for the heritage centre in 2016. Ambrose – the longest-serving SFI director who has held this position for 33 years, and also the centre’s patron – had a “strong desire to see it happen as his mission was to do something good for the school and the future generation of students”, Andrew said.
“This was his earnest effort for all of us to remember the extraordinary services rendered by the 150 Lasallian brothers to SFI over the past 120 years, after they took over the school in 1902.”
Andrew Loke, flanked by Ambrose Loke (left) and David Liao, ringing the Heritage Bell to declare the opening of the centre. (Adrian David pic)
Andrew recommended for every school in the country to establish a heritage centre of its own. “This way, the history and legacy will be preserved for the benefit of future generations.“I hope the SFI Heritage Centre will encourage more schools to do likewise – to reflect on the character and ethos of the multitude of institutions in the country.”
Franciscan Club of Kuala Lumpur president Eric Chan added that the centre is aimed at conserving SFI’s storied past and ongoing efforts.
“We wish for its history and legacy to be safeguarded through continuing research and the documentation of past events. At the same time, we want to promote and disseminate knowledge and information on the school’s artefacts, culture, and written heritage,” he said.
Items displayed at the centre include medals, shields, school building replicas, commemorative souvenirs, and other memorabilia.
170-year journey
The Lasalle Brothers have provided quality education to hundreds of thousands of Malaysian youths of all races and creeds across generations.
According to Malaysian Federation of Lasallian Alumni Associations secretary James Sia, the brothers arrived in Penang in 1852 and established St Xavier’s Institution, their first mission school.
Teachers, Lasallian brothers, and alumni at the St Francis Institution’s 120th-anniversary dinner at the school quadrangle. (Adrian David pic)
Half a century later, in October 1902, three brothers – Irish-American Maurice Josephus Freeze, Burmese Andrew Corsini Peter, and Malaysian Constantine Jeremiah – took over the administration of SFI from the Catholic church, officially making it a Lasalle school.
SFI was, at the time, housed in a two-storey building formerly occupied by St Mary’s School, located across the road from St Francis Xavier Church on Jalan Banda Kaba. But it wasn’t long before it became clear that bigger premises were required.
“SFI’s first building was the ‘U’ building on Jalan Parameswara, where the school is located today,” Sia said. “It was built in 1906 and opened in March 1907.”
On Jan 1, 1922, the brothers acquired the adjacent Malacca Rubber Plantations Ltd building as part of SFI’s expansion plans.
“Since then, SFI has flourished, providing quality education to generations of pupils across all levels of society,” he added.
Birdwatching in Batu Berendam planned as latest tourism attraction
Monday, 10 Oct 2022
Taman Mutiara in Batu Berendam, Melaka, is said to have about 3,000 birds from 16 species. — Bernama
MELAKA is set to introduce its newest eco-tourism product, birdwatching at the Taman Mutiara swamp area in Batu Berendam.
State tourism, heritage and culture committee chairman Datuk Muhammad Jailani Khamis said the area had been identified as a habitat for about 3,000 birds from 16 species.
They include Black-Crowned Night Heron, Purple Heron, Asian Openbill, Great Egret, Javan Myna, Cinnamon Bittern and Lesser Coucal.
Jailani said the bird species were identified by the Malaysian Nature Society.
“We plan to turn the area into our new tourism product by organising birdwatching activities to draw not only tourists but also local and foreign bird enthusiasts.
“We already have ‘raptor watch’ in Tanjung Tuan and this new product will offer one more attraction,” he said at a press conference.
A detailed discussion on several aspects including legislation would be conducted involving various parties including the tourism promotion division, Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan), Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council and the respective landowners to realise the effort.
Jailani also said the area would be turned into a conservation hub for the birds in an effort to protect the area from development.
He said a sub-committee had been formed to monitor the area to prevent activities that could disturb the birds’ habitat.
He added that a photography competition, in conjunction with the Bird Watching Programme @ Taman Mutiara in Batu Berendam, would be held until Nov 7.
The competition themed, “Save The Birds, Protect Their Habitats” is offering total cash prize of RM7,000. Registration is free. — Bernama
