THE KAHAANI MALACCA

Stately charm of The Kahaani Malacca

By ROBIN AUGUSTIN | streets@nst.com.my

MAGICAL: A stay at The Kahaani is an experience to treasure

MALACCA: THE Kahaani Malacca gets its name from the Hindi word which means story, but spending a night in the lavish mansion is nothing short of a fairytale.

Formerly an official residence of the Malacca state governor, The Kahaani sits on a 0.6ha of land in Taman Tasik Utama, a mere five minutes from the Ayer Keroh Tol Plaza.

The mansion exudes prestige and class with its massive gates, driveway and lawn. The state's emblem at the entrance serves as a reminder of the mansion's past status.

Residence Hotels & Resorts took over the reins of management last year and spent three months restoring the mansion to its former glory.

The interior decor of the The Kahaani is a tasteful blend of colonial and Peranakan furnishings, antiques, lighting as well as a red-carpet lined spiral staircase. The management has also brought in new furniture and bathroom fixtures that compliment the mansion's character.

The Kahaani has six suites under three categories. Each suite is named after a traditional musical instrument. There is Rebana, Angklung, Serunai and Kenong suites. The creme de la creme is the Nafiri and the Japanese styled Tsuzumi, which have their own living rooms.

The largest of the suites is the Nafiri, in which Bollywood superstar, Datuk Shah Rukh Khan has stayed in.

Aside from the Rebana, the other suites each come with an extra king-sized bed and a hot tub. All rooms are large enough to accommodate up to four persons, with extra beds available upon request. Inside, the rooms are the epitome of luxury. The sheer size and furnishings of the rooms are astounding and are equipped with high speed wireless Internet, an LED television, Astro and a DVD player.

The hallmark of the Kahaani is its personalised butler service, which explains the omission of a mini-bar, coffee making facilities and ironing board from the rooms.

Like the magical cartoon servants that look after the castle in Disney's Beauty and the Beast, operations manager Kamal Mohd Zani and his staff of nine, work around the clock, happily serving guests and ensuring the mansion remains spotless.

"Here, guests get to enjoy a first-class colonial experience. Our butlers pamper guests, doing everything for them," said Kamal, adding that The Kahaani is the only place in Malacca with a personal butler service.

Dining at the mansion is a privilege exclusive to guests staying at The Kahaani. From breakfast to dinner, all meals are served in sets. There are also colonial styled and Nyonya tea sets featuring cakes, scones, authentic Nyonya kuih and, of course, a selection of fine tea.

The quality of food served is immaculate and the portions are generous. For breakfast, which is complimentary, guests have a choice of either continental or American breakfast sets, complete with a selection of eggs, juice, breads, cereals, sausages and more.

Lunch and dinner is a Western affair complete with an appetiser, soup, main course and dessert. Local delicacies are also available upon request.

Aside from lunch and dinner, light snacks can also be prepared to satisfy those late-night cravings. The delectable meals can be enjoyed in the cosy setting of the Nyonya Room, outside by the pool, or common balcony. Guests can even have their meals served to them in the comfort of their suites.

If you manage to resist the urge to stay in bed, then head to the mansion's stunning pool which is surrounded by a wading area with hydro massage jets, a mini-island and water features.

A popular feature of a colonial mansion is a library. The Kahaani has a spacious library and games room with a selection of books, traditional games like congkak and popular board games for adults and children alike.

There are two function rooms in the mansion. The Batik is a board room styled meeting room, equipped with a projector, laptop and audio-visual facilities.

The Batik can accommodate 10 people and also function as a dining avenue. The Sutera function room is suitable for small dinners or events to the tune of a 100 guests. It is encased by glass walls, giving guests a great view of the pool.

Naturally, the uniqueness and charm of The Kahaani makes it a popular venue for weddings and private functions, which can be organised on the mansion's vast lawn.

Guests who wish to enjoy Malacca's many tourist spots can do so as a limousine service can be arranged. Airport transfers to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Low Cost Carrier Terminal are also available.

Rates at The Kahaani start from RM1,500+ per night, but promotional rates are available. For reservations, call 06-231 3712 or email reservation@thekahaani.com.

For more details, visit www.thekahaani.com/ Read more: Stately charm of The Kahaani Malacca - Central - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/central/stately-charm-of-the-kahaani-malacca-1.333796#ixzz2dnhUhfGI

MALACCA SET TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION

Published: Tuesday September 3, 2013 MYT 12:00:00 AM

Updated: Tuesday September 3, 2013 MYT 11:53:03 AM

Malacca set to make an Impression

BY JUNE H.L. WONG

A scene from the Impression Liu Sanjie outdoor musical in Guilin, which features dazzling light effects and an awesome setting of mountains and a river.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malacca will become the first city outside China to stage the 10th production under acclaimed Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou’s “Impression” series of outdoor musical shows.

Impression Melaka, is a project between PTS Impression Sdn Bhd and China Impression Wonders Art Development Co Ltd, which will be endorsed by Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz today as a National Key Economic Area project under Pemandu.

This follows a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by PTS Impression CEO Boo Kuan Loon and China Impression Wonders Art Development Co’s co-founder and CEO Wang Chaoge in February in Malacca, witnessed by then Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, and the project’s official launch in Beijing in May.

The immensely successful Impression musicals were founded by Zhang and his creative partners Wang Chaoge and Fan Yue who were also directors of the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

The stage for Impression Melaka will be built to look like a Chinese junk in Admiral Zheng He's fleet with the audience seated in the middle.

All the Impression shows are live outdoor performances involving huge casts, humongous stages and amazing special effects.

The first was launched in 1998 in Guilin called Impression Lui Sanjie on a 2km-long setting along the Li River. Since then, there are Impressions in nine locations all over China, including Lijiang and West Lake, using spectacular natural backdrops.

Impression Melaka, however, will be performed on a gigantic stage built to look like Admiral Zheng He’s junk with a revolving seating area for 2,014 in the middle.

It was Wang who decided on Malacca as her company’s first foreign foray after being pursued by a persistent Boo who brought she and her team to visit his hometown.

Boo, 42, who describes himself as a true-blue anak Melaka, is a property developer who wants to create a destination theatre experience to benefit locals and give tourists a reason to stay overnight in Malacca.

Mr. Boo Kuan Loon, CEO of PTS Impressions Sdn Bhd Boo wants to create a destination theatre experience to benefit locals and give tourists a reason to stay overnight in Malacca.

“Most tourists come to Malacca for day tours but don’t stay overnight because there isn’t much to see or do at night. Impression Melaka can change that as there will two performances every night,” he said.

Boo added that it was a feather in Malacca’s cap that Wang’s company chose the city for its first foreign production out of 150 proposals from cities around the world, thanks in part to its Unesco world heritage status.

Although Impression Melaka’s storyline and music are being written and the stage designed by China Impression Wonders Art Development Co, Boo stressed it would not be a Chinese story but one that reflected Malacca’s vibrant cosmopolitan history and heritage.

As Wang said in an interview with Lifestyle Magazine, “When we go outside the country, we’re not taking Chinese culture and exporting it to them, but rather we export our art and performance – Impression Melaka is about Malaysian culture.”

She was also quoted as saying at the Beijing launch that Impression Melaka would “showcase the city’s glorious past and modern day life.”

Nevertheless, the junk-shaped stage recalls Zheng He’s five visits to the port in seven voyages between 1405 and 1433 which led to a longstanding relationship between the Malacca sultanate and China.

The directors: (from left) Zhang, Wang and Fan who will create Impression Melaka. Impression Melaka, a RM300mil project, is funded by local and foreign investors and will be the only one in the region for the next three years, said Boo.

He said the 75-minute long show, with a cast of 200, is projected to sell 1.3 million tickets a year, at about RM130 a seat.

Like other Impression shows, most of the performers will be ordinary folk living in the vicinity who will be trained by Zhang, Wang, Fan and their team.

While its location is still under wraps, Boo said the theatre will require 8.1ha, while another 32.4ha will be developed for other related developments, such as restaurants and a tourism village.

Impression Melaka is scheduled to open in October 2014, in conjunction with Malaysia-China Friendship Year to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations and in time for Visit Malaysia Year.

HAPPY MERDEKA

On Saturday, 31st. August 2013, Malaysia will celebrate her 56th. Anniversary of Merdeka. We got our Independence from Britain on 31st. August 1957 through negotiation and not by the barrel of the gun. No blood was shed and we were grateful for that.

Let us celebrate our Independence together and have a give and take attitude for all races. No single race must dominate another but we must work, play and cry together so that our nation can reach greater heights in race relation, economic growth, prosperity and harmony.

MERDEKA, MERDEKA, MERDEKA.

MELAKA NEW FERRIS WHEEL AT PULAU MELAKA

RM20 million Ferris wheel for Pulau Melaka

Eddie Beck | August 26, 2013

Touted as the 13th tallest in the world, the Malaysian Eye is set to be the main attraction in a new RM50 million tourist complex shaping up on the once abandoned man-made island.

MALACCA: The Malaysian Eye, a 103-metre Ferris wheel touted as the 13th tallest in the world, is to be the centrepiece attraction in a new tourist complex shaping up in Pulau Melaka.

The state government has invested about RM1 billion to redevelop the once abandoned man-made island and is hoping the RM40-RM50 million tourist complex will help boost the property market.

Costing RM20 million, the Malaysian Eye is expected to be operational in the first quarter of next year. It will have 48 capsules taking 288 passengers on a 20-minute round trip.

Each passenger is expected to pay RM20 per round trip and in the first year of operation, the company expects to ferry approximately 1.2 million passengers.

Sited on a five-acre prime site in Pulau Melaka, the entire complex which will house retail and entertainment complex, food outlets and a 28-storey hotel with 300 rooms.

“A definite tourist attraction will be a chocolate factory,” said Bernard Siow, the CEO of The Eye Sdn Bhd. “Piling work is now completed. The company will be calling for tenders to build other areas of the complex. The components of the ferris wheel have arrived and they will be assembled in stages.”

MELAKA CONSERVATION CENTRE AT JALAN BUNGA RAYA

A new Melaka Conservation Centre has been opened by the Melaka State government at No 45, Jalan Bunga Raya, 75000 Melaka. Hopefully, owners of heritage buildings who want to renovate their premises according to heritage standards can visit this centre for information.

MELAKA MILLIONAIRES' ROW

Malacca’s Millionaires’ Row Posted on June 7, 2013 - Featured, Property News. OUR STREET HERITAGE By M. Veera Pandiyan veera@thestar.com.my

Looking around: Tourists soaking in the sights in Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock.

JONKER Street, or Jalan Hang Jebat, is possibly the most famous road in Malacca, thanks to Jonker Walk which attracts hordes of tourists from all over the world.

But the road running parallel to it – Heeren Street – has a more interesting history and richer architectural charms.

Heeren Street, or Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, was once the place to live for those who made it to the top.

Originally called “Kampung Belanda” (Dutch Village), it ended up with the nickname of “Millionaires’ Row” because of its well-heeled residents.

The narrow street with houses adorned with ornately decorated façades was the choice neighbourhood for the prosperous Straits-born Chinese (Peranakan or Babas and Nyonyas) in the mid-19th and early 20th century.

These affluent folks competed with each other to build the most flamboyant of houses, many of which stand to this day.

Quite a number have been fully restored to their former glory and turned into highly popular boutique hotels, museums, galleries, restaurants and cafes.

Walking into these places is like going back in time to the era of Malacca’s occupation by the Dutch.

A classic example to visit is Number 8, Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, a shophouse built in the 1700s.

It has been painstakingly renovated by Badan Warisan (Malaysia’s National Trust) with a grant from the US Embassy.

Entry is free but donations are welcome.

The grandest of them all: The Chee Mansion was built by the first chairman of the OCBC.

While Jonker Street (from the Dutch Jonghheer) was named after a place for “young noblemen” who had not quite made it to the upper level of nobility.

Heeren Street (originally Heeren straat), was for the “gentlemen” or “masters” in the upper crust of society.

The characteristic features of most buildings are high roofs, floors and corridors lined with intricate tiles, teak front doors carved with family names or mottos in gold calligraphy.

Most windows are also beautifully decorated with motifs while some homes even have decorated roofs with image of dragons, birds and flowers.

The houses on the street are rather narrow and small when viewed from the outside but are long and spacious inside.

This is because the houseowners then were taxed on the width of the buildings instead of the total area.

Most of them have open courtyards to provide ventilation and light. Some even have small wells to draw water or ponds to collect rainwater from the roof.

The street was home to famous Malacca Babas, including Tan Kim Seng, one of the pioneers in the development of Singapore, and Tan Chay Yan, who was Malaya’s first rubber planter in 1896.

Tan Kim Seng or Baba Kim Seng, who amassed a great fortune in Singapore, built a bridge across the Singapore River which is now named after him.

He also donated money for a bridge, named after him in Malacca, and for the famous Clocktower in front of Christ Church in the Dutch Square.

Tan Kim Seng’s stately ancestral home, built in 1822, is the present Hotel Puri.

When it was the home of Kim Seng, there was a menagerie behind with many animals, including a tiger.

The grandest house in “Millionaires’ Row” is the Chee Mansion, which stands majestically directly opposite Hotel Puri.

The breathtaking building is a Dutch era architectural gem, complete with a fairy-tale inspired watchtower.

It was built by tycoon and philanthropist Chee Swee Cheng, the first chairman of the Overseas Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC).

As it was run almost entirely by the Baba’s in the old days, OCBC was jokingly referred to as Orang China Bukan China.

Chee Swee Cheng built the mansion at 117 Heeren Street as a dedication to his father, Chee Yam Chuan.

The Chee Mansion, also known as the Chee Yam Chuan Temple, is used as the family’s ancestral home.

But “Millionaires’ Row” bears the name of an outstanding fifth-generation Baba and one of the country’s illustrious early leaders.

Tun Tan Cheng Lock, who co-founded the MCA in 1949, was born at house number 111.

The dignified family home was where the country’s first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tan held many discussions before Merdeka.

His son, Tun Tan Siew Sin, was Malaya’s first Commerce and Indus try Minister before being the longest serving Finance Minister for 15 years.

He was also the third president of the MCA after his father and Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu.

It may not be as hectic as Jonker Street where the tourists to Malacca throng but Heeren Street oozes more history, old-world charm and provides amazing sights and stories.

MELAKA 2 MEGA PROJECTS IN THE WORKS

MELAKA (Aug 21, 2013): Two mega projects, The Melaka Gateway and Dinosaurs and Underwater World, to be built in Melaka, are expected to boost the state's gross domestic product (GDP) to more than RM6 billion.

Chairman of the State Economic Consultative Council (MPEN) Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said The Melaka Gateway, to be constructed on a 209.6-hectare site at a cost of RM30 billion at Bandar Hilir, is expected to contribute RM6 billion to the GDP.

"This project is projected to generate about 15,000 job opportunities for locals, apart from increasing the tourist arrivals to 2.5 million annually," he told reporters here.

He said the project comprised a number of key components, including the construction of three man-made islands near Pulau Melaka, a shopping complex, hotel, condominium, Cultural Performance Complex (Melaka Impression), as well as a housing estate based on the concept of a cultural village.

He said the RM240 million Dinosaurs and Underwater World project will be realised on a 14.1-hectare site in Klebang and contribute RM48 million to Melaka's GDP.

Mohd Ali said this project comes complete with various public facilities such as food and beverage shops as well as souvenirs, while attracting 600,000 tourists annually.

He said the recreational park is also seen as capable of creating 1,000 job opportunities for the people of Melaka. In another development, Mohd Ali said the MPEN has proposed three steps to consolidate Melaka's economy in future.

He said it involved strengthening Melaka's Bumiputera-based companies, enhancing key infrastructure through the Straits of Melaka coastal highway and creating the 'Museum Tour' in the state.

"MPEN committee members have suggested that the state government study, identify and implement development, as well as assist selected Bumiputera-based companies to be mentored to become those with potential and competitiveness," he added.

He said the state government should also lobby the Federal government to continue the coastal highway as the project can provide an impact to the state's economic development, and the effort to make it a city-state.

Mohd Ali said the Museum Tour is aimed at enabling tourists to be offered attractive tourism packages to destinations throughout the state through the use of buses on a systematic basis as well as guides. – Bernama