THE METROPOLIS OF KL, KLANG, SEREMBAN & MELAKA

In my opinion, we will see the cities of Kuala Lumpur, Klang, Seremban, Port Dickson and historical Melaka merged into one large metropolis where people and visitors can enjoy the different attractions of each city.

Melaka is already the World Heritage City where history lurks and has flourishing cultures living together for the past 600 years. She is a living heritage in her own right.

For Kuala Lumpur, the modern city with numerous restaurants and entertainment centres offer a different experience to locals and visitors alike. The Petronas Twin Towers are the international icon and symbol which people recognise as KL, Malaysia. Food and different cultures prevail.

For Klang and Shah Alam, we have the main port to Malaysia and near to Port Dickson, we have the KLIA and LCCT Terminal. Soon, we will have a newer LCCT complex at Labu, Negeri Sembilan. All these airports are located within the cities of KL, Klang, Seremban and Melaka which visitors can reach within 1 hour's drive.

For visitors who want to enjoy the sun and sea, they can either go to Port Dickson and Pantai Puteri/Pantai Bidara in Melaka.

Signs are there as we see development along the North-South Highway at Bangi, Nilai, Seremban and Port Dickson. Maybe in the next 25 years, we will see more development at Labu, Alor Gajah and surrounding areas towards Melaka. Time will be our witness.

A BRIDGE FROM MELAKA TO DUMAI, INDONESIA?

2008/12/24


A Bridge from Melaka to Dumai, Indonesia in the future?

It will be nice that we can drive across the Malacca Straits in our own car to Sumatra, Indonesia. We can have a relaxing weekend in Indonesia while Indonesians can travel over for their medical check-ups in Melaka.
From the engineering & civil construction of point of view, the bridge can be built as there are many high span bridges built around the world eg. in Japan, China and other countries. The only constraints will be the financial burden and political consideration between Malaysia and Indonesia. Being a mega project, a lot of details have to be worked out before construction can start. No point having an uncompleted bridge hanging over the Straits of Malacca if the works grind to a halt.
It is certainly an idea worth exploring for the future of Malaysia and Indonesia in fostering neighbourly ties and the coming together of the ASEAN countries into one trade grouping in the future.
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Feasibility study first for bridge to Sumatra

MALACCA: The government will conduct a feasibility study on the suggested 52km bridge linking Malacca to Dumai in Sumatra, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said.
He said the study would determine the viability of the bridge, taking into consideration the cost, expected revenue and present economic situation."It may become a reality in the near future. But for now, I think the ferry service is sufficient.

"The Malacca government had earlier suggested the construction of the bridge which was estimated to cost US$11 billion (RM38 billion).Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam had said that the bridge would have great economic potential, considering the population in Sumatra had reached 70 million compared with Singapore with only four million.

He said the idea of the bridge had been raised in 1995, but was put on hold a few years later due to the financial crisis then affecting both countries."There are numerous factors to consider before we can embark on such a huge project. We will decide after a feasibility study is done." Najib was speaking at the opening of the Ninth Malay and Islamic World (DMDI) Convention here yesterday.

In his speech, he urged Malays in the region not to forget their roots and play their part in helping the community grow stronger and more united in facing challenges."Despite the changes around us, we must never forget our roots and should take all relevant steps to foster greater unity, understanding and cooperation among each other." In urging the community to master as many languages as possible, Najib reminded them not to neglect the use of their mother tongue, Bahasa Malaysia.

He also called on the Malays to reject all forms of extremism and the use of militant force to achieve political goals.Later, Najib launched the DMDI Finance House, which he said would begin with an initial investment of RM10 million and an authorised capital of RM1 billion.Ali, who is also DMDI president, said he hoped that if the bridge project was approved, it would be financed by the private sector."

I hope the idea will become a reality because the Malacca-Dumai bridge can not only boost economic development, but also strengthen ties between both countries."

He said the number of tourist arrivals from Indonesia had increased from 1.2 million in 2006 to 1.8 million last year.The number of Indonesian tourists who visited the Unesco World Heritage site here increased from 105,986 in 2006 to 128,057 last year, he added

NEW LCCT AT LABU, NEGERI SEMBILAN

It is heartening to read that the Malaysian cabinet has given approval to a private sector initiative by Sime Darby Berhad, AirAsia Bhd. and private investors, to set up a new LCCT terminal at Labu, Negeri Sembilan.

Covering 2,800 hectares, the LCCT terminal will be the hub to develop 5 townships for various industries. Moreover, the Express Rail Link and KTM Komuter, will be extended to the new LCCT when completed.

Located about 7 km from the North-South Highway near to Nilai/Labu, the new LCCT will be nearer to Melaka than currently. On the long term, with projection that AirAsia will bring in 30 million passengers by 2014, this figure can only benefit Melaka - World Heritage City. If we can get 2% of this projected traffic to visit Melaka, it will translate to 600,000 new visitors!!!

It is important that tour operators, bus companies and taxis that ply Melaka-KL and KL-Melaka routes, be creative in their routings. Long distance buses can use the LCCT terminal as a stop when travelling from Melaka or KL. For passengers who want to LCCT, they can also board on these buses at reduced fares. The key is that we provide accessibility to intending passengers, locals or foreigners, who want to visit Melaka.

In the future, we can certainly see the region of Kuala Lumpur,Klang, Seremban, Port Dickson and Melaka City becoming one large Metropolis whereby visitors can enjoy history, entertainment, shopping, beaches and food.

SHOP SIGNAGES SHOULD HAVE THEIR ADDRESSES LISTED

In order for us to make Melaka and Malaysia "friendly" to local and foreign visitors, the Melaka Historical City Council should implement shop sign boards with the shop addresses listed. Now, most sign boards are allowed to be displayed WITHOUT the addresses. Years ago in the 1960s and 1970s, our shop sign boards have their addresses listed. They are convenient and easy to be seen.

Shop front signboards without address.

By not implementing the sign boards with addresses, it makes it difficult to find a location or shop. Moreover, most of our road signs are either not prominent or have been stolen and not replaced. However, if the sign boards must indicate the address on it, it becomes a "directional finder". We can now see clearly which road we are in, the postcode and contact telephone number of the premises. If anyone is lost due to lack of road signs, we can still rely on the shop front sign boards.

When I was in Bandung over the last weekend, I was fortunate enough to have shop front signboards with their addresses listed. At least, they indicate to us the name of the road and we cannot get lost. Finding the right road can now be determined by viewing the shop front sign boards.

I do not understand why we took away this simple yet effective shop front sign boards. We do not need expensive Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to get us around. What we need is to re-implement back the simple signages with addresses on them. They will prove to be effective and useful to visitors and locals alike in finding the correct roads and shops. Incidentally, we should also implement these changes ALL over Malaysia again.

SAVE PANTAI KUNDUR (PANTAI PUTERI) BEACHES

Serious erosion has occurred along the Pantai Kundur (Pantai Puteri) beaches at Klebang. If nothing or remedial works are carried out immediately, a portion of the road facing the beach front will collapse into the sea. This observation and fears have been highlighted by kampung folks who live at Pantai Kundur.

Authorities must act immediately to prevent this from happening. With the land reclaimation works at Klebang, there is no beautiful beach other than Pantai Kundur. With casuarina trees grown on the beaches, they give ample shade to visitors to relax and enjoy the sea breezes especially in the evenings.

If I correctly recall, Pantai Kundur beach was beset with erosion in late 1980s and beach rehabilitation works were done to rectify the erosion. Now, after 20 years, this problem has surfaced again.

Can this be due to the reclaimation works at Klebang Besar which is being undertaken now? By changing the coastline by reclaiming land from the sea, it will definitely change the wave patterns, strength and velocity of the waves. Maybe, we are seeing the results now at Pantai Kundur.

Here is a news report published recently:-

October 14, 2008 14:06 PM

Pantai Puteri Faces Coastal Erosion

MELAKA, Oct 14 (Bernama)

Pantai Puteri in Tanjung Keling, near here, is facing serious coastal erosion which could destroy the beauty of the beach.The effects of the erosion along the approximately four-kilometre stretch of beach could be seen where many of the casuarina trees had been uprooted while many more are in danger of being uprooted.

A check by Bernama reveals that in some places, only a few metres separate the road from the sea.The residents claimed that about 50 metres of the beach had been eroded within the last 10 years, bringing down the casuarina trees which had been planted to provide shade to visitors to the beach.

A resident, Abdullah Yahya, said the coastal erosion had resulted in a large chunk of the beach being 'swallowed' by the Straits of Melaka.

"The erosion becomes more serious especially during the season of the westerly winds as well as the possibility of the effects from the ongoing reclamation works at Pantai Klebang," he told Bernama, here today.

Abdullah, who is also chairman of the Melaka Fishermen's Association, said the erosion also seemed to threaten several structures built at the beach.He feared that the coastal erosion could also destroy the road beside the beach if nothing was done to check the erosion.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the State Committee on Tourism, Culture and Heritage, Datuk Seet Har Cheow said the Melaka government had asked the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) to take action to resolve the eroson problem along the beach.

He said Pantai Puteri, located 11 kilometres from the Melaka city centre, was a tourist destination and the DID should act immediately to save the beach.-- BERNAMA

PICTORIAL EXHIBITION ON TUNKU

24th. September 2008

There will be an important photograph exhibition on Malaysia's founding father - Tunku Abdul Rahman in October 2008. Restored photos unseen will be exhibited for all Malaysians to view for free. As Malaysians, these photos are part of our Malaysian Heritage.

24th. September 2008 “TERIMA KASIH TUNKU!” PICTORIAL EXHIBITION OF TUNKU

From MALACCA HIGH & MAHSOPA PHOTOS

Come October 2008, be sure to view a fascinating exhibition on Malaysia’s first Prime Minister, Al Marhum Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj at Gallery 2, Department of Museums Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.

YB Datuk Seri Hj. Mohd Shafie bin Hj Apdal, Minister of Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage will officiate the opening on Tuesday, 7 October 2008 at 4.00pm.

This exhibition is organized by the Department of Museums Malaysia in collaboration with Canvas Art Sdn Bhd. On display are 222 pictures of the Tunku, including many from private collections. These rare pictures cover the period when he was a young schoolboy to a retired but active former Prime Minister.

A team of experts in Canvas Art painstakingly restored all the images. They took more than eight years to source the old photographs from private individuals and government institutions. Some have never been viewed in public before. The images have been carefully restored and reproduced on artist canvas or fine art paper of international archive standard and quality, with captions in Bahasa Malaysia and English.

The Tunku was like a father to all Malaysians. He knew our hearts and minds. Although his struggle to gain independence was not without sacrifice, he was able to free his beloved country from the yoke of colonialism without shedding a single drop of blood. This is the freedom we now cherish.

This pictorial presentation offers a glimpse of the Tunku’s long and historic journey along the path to Merdeka and beyond. It is important for the younger generation to appreciate the nation’s struggle for independence and the critical role played by great leaders who strived tirelessly to unite our multiracial society. It is only through harmony among the races that we can form a truly united and prosperous Malaysian nation.

In 1957, the Tunku said “Our great aim must be to make Malaya a haven of peace, harmony and happiness. We must strive for this with all our strength. We must be brave, we must be fair and we must be just, so that, come what may, we shall be ready as a united Malayan people to meet it.”

“ It is my daily prayer that all the different races in the country will continue to live together in friendship … Independence could never have been achieved without the unity of the various races” he said on his 80th birthday in 1983.

We hope Malaysians everywhere will have the opportunity to view this exclusive collection of photographs of the Tunku and his priceless legacy. Robert Lim Fung Wang Managing Director Canvas Art Sdn Bhd

NOTE - Reception is from 4pm to 6pm at Gallery 2 of the Department of Museums Malaysia, 7th October 2008. - Invitation list includes family and friends of Tunku, retired Ambassadors, Ambassadors of SEA countries and the United Kingdom.

PERANAKAN CULTURE IN MELAKA

5th. September 2008

Do you know that the Peranakan ( Baba and Nyonya ) heritage and culture began in Melaka?

The culture of the Peranakans is a community which began when Chinese traders in the 17th century moved to Malacca. They settled down in Malacca and adopted local customs and traditions.

The community of Peranakans subsequently moved on to Penang in the late 18th century and to Singapore in the early 1900s. Though Melaka has a vibrant Peranakan heritage and has a private museum to highlight the Peranakan heritage, Singapore has opened two impressive museums that feature the Peranakan heritage.

In April, the Asian Civilisations Museum steered the opening of the $12-million Peranakan Museum in Armenian Street and today, the National University of Singapore opens its $4-million Baba House in Neil Road. Both the museum and the house are stocked with artefacts, both tell the story of the Peranakans.

It is about time that the Baba and Nyonyas of Melaka pool their resources to preserve the uniqueness of the Peranakan culture.

It has been reported that the Melaka Peranakans will be hosting the "21st. Baba Convention" from 5th. to 7th. December 2008.

Peranakans from all over the world will converge into Melaka for this convention. It is expected Peranakans from Penang, Singapore, Phuket and overseas will meet up in Melaka for this historic event.

May we wish the organisers well for organising this event and wish them all the success in hosting this convention. As Melaka is now a World Heritage City, we need to preserve our unique cultures such as Malay, Chinese, Indian, Peranakan, Chitty, Portuguese and Dutch alive for generations to come.

Kamsiah.