SPECIALISED HUBS FOR MALACCAN PORTS

Malacca to turn seven ports into specialised hubs

Monday, 27 July 2015 

 

MALACCA: Efforts are underway to turn seven ports in Malacca into specialised hubs for various sectors to spur the state's economic development, the State Assembly was told on Monday. 

Malacca Transport and Project Rehabilitation Committee chairman Datuk Lim Ban Hong said the project under the Malacca Port Development Masterplan entailed upgrading six existing ports besides building the Malacca Gateway Port. 

He said the Malacca Gateway Port would serve the tourism industry, while the six existing ports, namely Linggi Port would cater for the industrial sector, Sungai Udang Port (military), Tangga Batu Port (oil and gas industry), Tanjung Bruas Port (cargo and containers), Umbai Port (fishing industry), and Sungai Rambai Port (mining and mineral). 

The development of the ports under the masterplan, spanning over 73 km along the shore of the Straits of Malacca, will enhance the Malacca's waterway system, he said when responding to an oral question from Datuk Ghazale Muhammad (BN-Rim). 

"We have studied the advantages of specialising each port according to the sectors chosen under the masterplan in line with our strives to spur the state's economic activities and relive the glory of Malacca Port of the 15th century," he said. 

Lim said the efforts would boost investments and economic activities in various sectors, including industrial, manufacturing and tourism, apart from creating plenty of jobs as each port would have a comprehensive infrastructure," he said. 

To a supplementary question from Sazali Muhd Din @ Muhamad Din (BN-Paya Rumput), Lim said local and maritime authorities would monitor the existence of illegal jetties along the Malacca coastline to thwart smuggling and illegal entries of immigrants.- Bernama

ELECTRIC BUSES TO PLY MELAKA IN AUGUST 2015

Electric buses to hit the road in Malacca in August 2015 Bernama State Transport and Project Rehabilitation Committee chairman Datuk Lim Ban Hong says a fully-charged electric bus can travel as far as 180km. — Pic credit http://www.skyscrapercity.com/ MALACCA, July 3, 2015:

Two electric buses are expected to start operating around the Unesco world heritage site in Banda Hilir here in early August.

State Transport and Project Rehabilitation Committee chairman Datuk Lim Ban Hong said the “hop-on hop-off” bus service would be operating with a one-price ticket system.

“The buses will be the first electric buses to be used in Malaysia on public roads and we believe it will help reduce traffic congestion, air and noise pollution.

“For a start, these buses will operate around the Unesco world heritage site and passengers will be using a one-day ticket at a certain price,” he told a press conference here today.

Also present was Panorama Melaka Sdn Bhd general manager Mohd Saleh Jusman.

The electric bus service will operate under the state government’s subsidiary company.

Lim said the two buses were among 40 electric buses expected to be fully operational in the state by the end of next year.

“We will receive in stages another 38 electric buses from Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation in China from early next year.”

Lim said a fully-charged bus could travel as far as 180km and the battery would take 100 minutes to recharge. It can travel at a maximum speed of 76kph.

The 33-seater bus has one seat for the disabled and is also equipped with nine CCTV cameras. Lim said a charging station had been built at the Melaka Sentral Bus Terminal for the electric buses.

MALACCA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT SEEKS AIRLINES TO LAND IN MELAKA

Malacca airport seeks flights to Guangzhou and Ho Chi Minh City Thursday, 2 July 2015

MALACCA: Malacca International Airport (LTAM) is discussing with the airline companies to use the airport to fly to Guangzhou, China and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

State Transport and Project Rehabilitation Committee chairman Datuk Lim Ban Hong, said LTAM was also eyeing Medan, Palembang and Surabaya in Indonesia.

"So far the discussions are positive," he told a media briefing here yesterday.

Currently, Malindo Air flies from LTAM to Kota Baru, Penang and Pekan Baru, Indonesia.

Lim said that LTAM recorded 24,616 passenger departures and 28,275 arrivals since the commencement of Malindo Air's operations on Nov 5, 2014 until May 15 this year.

Lim said that the state government planned to launch flights to various Unesco sites.

He said among them were ngkor Wat in Cambodia, Borobudur in Indonesia and Luang Prabang in Laos.

He said that the proposal was also in line with Malaysia taking over chairmanship of Asean.

In addition to this, Lim said that Malacca, an Unesco heritage site, was working to promote ties with other sites.

"This will allow tourists to LTAM as the gateway to other Unesco heritage sites in other Asean member countries," he said. – Bernama

VATICAN IMPRESSED WITH MALACCA MODERATION POLICY

Vatican is impressed with Malacca's moderation policy: Archbishop

MALACCA - The Vatican is impressed with Malacca's policy of promoting moderation and harmonious living among its various ethnic groups.

The Vatican's Apostolic Nuncio to Malaysia Archbishop Joseph Marino said the Holy See had a high regard for such approaches.

"This is an exemplary state. We admire Malacca for ensuring racial unity with minimal issues on race relations," he said after calling on State Secretary Datuk Wira Nain Abu Bakar at Seri Negeri here yesterday.

Marino, who was posted as the Vatican's first resident Apostolic Nuncio here in 2013, visited the Portuguese Settlement here where he witnessed the Festa San Juan (feast of St John the Baptist) which is celebrated with much religious fervour and reverence.

About 14 Roman Catholic priests gathered there to welcome the Vatican's representative.

Joseph Sta Maria, who is the representative of minority ethnic communities under social service unit Pembela, described Archbishop Marino's visit to the historical city as most significant to the Roman Catholic community here.

"He was brought to various historical sites. The prayers at the Portuguese Settlement meant a lot to all of us," he said.

Sta Maria said the Archbishop also visited the 466-year-old ruins of the ancient Rosary Chapel (Ermida de Rosario) at Jalan Bunga Raya Pantai along Sungai Malacca.

Malaysia established diplomatic relations with the Vatican following a meeting between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Pope Benedict XVI in July 2011.

- See more at: http://news.asiaone.com/news/malaysia/vatican-impressed-malaccas-moderation-policy-archbishop#sthash.MgOjjmIy.dpuf

MORE ROOMS NEEDED IN MALACCA

Malacca needs more accommodation options to accommodate tourists need BY KELLY KOH - 16 MAY 2015 @ 9:30 PM 

MALACCA: The state needs another 2,800 rooms of various types to accommodate tourists’ need on weekends. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron said due to influx of both local and foreign tourists, more hotels are needed in the state. "The state government is concerned with the insufficient amount of hotels in the state to meet the rising number of tourists frequenting Malacca. 

"I've previously received complaints from some 20 guests who had to sleep in their cars after failing to make a hotel reservation as all hotels were fully occupied," he said to a press conference after launching Rivero Boutique Hotel in Taman 1 Lagenda here today.

Idris said there were 200 hotels and 21 resorts throughout the state, capable of offering 9,500 rooms to visitors in Malacca. "However, the figure is not enough because there is a high demand for lodging facilities since we are receiving more than 600,000 domestic and foreign visitors annually," he said, adding that the population in the state in weekends would double to 1.5million people from only 870,000 residents on weekdays. 

"We need more hoteliers who are willing to invest in setting up hotels here," added Idris. 

Also present at the launch was the hotel's chairman, Datuk Yunus Rahmat. Idris said the latest boutique hotel has 33 various types’ rooms with the rate starting from RM79 onwards per night. "I believe the addition of 33 rooms in the state would contribute tremendously to the state's tourism sector," he said. Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron launches Rivero Boutique Hotel in Taman 1 Lag

Read More : http://www.nst.com.my/node/84470

US1 BILLION PROJECT IN MELAKA KLEBANG

Chinese developer launches US$1bn Melaka project

Published: 24 March 2015 9:43 PM

Xin Eco Marine Group Properties Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Xinyuan China, will invest US$1 billion (RM3.6 billion) in a mixed development project in Klebang, Melaka next year.

Its President Datuk Jacky Zhang Zhengang said the project, comprising three major property segments – tourism, commercial and residential – would be built on a 68-hectare of reclaimed land facing the Straits of Malacca.

He said the project, spanning about six years with a gross development value (GDV) of around US$5 billion, would kick off in stages starting with the development of a theme park in October next year.

 “ We have a total investment goal in the next four to five years... the total investment can reach not less than US$1 billion in Melaka.

"In the other regions close to Kuala Lumpur and some other tourism destinations like in Sabah, Penang and some island tourist hotspots, we are glad to do investment for these kind of venues in the future,” he said.

He said this to Bernama after the recent launch of Xin-Eco Marine Group Properties Sdn Bhd in Kuala Lumpur, which also serves as Xinyuan China’s Southeast Asia regional headquarters.

Touching on the residential aspect of the project, he said different class designs for villas, bungalows and apartments would be incorporated to meet the needs of local and foreign buyers including from China.

The company expects most of the residential units to be taken up within a year after being offered to the public.

Meantime, the reclamation works on the seafront will start in May this year and expected to be completed in June 2016.

Zhang said the company had chosen Melaka, particularly Klebang, as it was strategically located along the coastal stretch of the tourism belt, mid-way between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

Xinyuan China was founded in 1997 and was listed on the New York Stock Exchange on Dec 12, 2007.

The Xinyuan Group is involved in residential, commercial and management of  properties as well as film and entertainment, and is expanding and diversifying its markets globally in line with the Chinese Government's "Go Global" strategy. – Bernama, March 24, 2015.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/business/article/chinese-developer-launches-us1-billion-melaka-project#sthash.3bG8Xsu4.dpuf

ROSARY CHAPEL AT JALAN BUNGA RAYA PANTAI TO BE RESTORED

Updated: Wednesday March 25, 2015 MYT 10:24:23 AM
466-year-old chapel set to undergo restoration

BY R.S.N. MURALI

MALACCA: Lent 2015 brought cheer to thousands of Catholics here with news that the ancient Rosary Chapel (Ermida de Rosario) will be restored, ending its days of neglect.

Malacca Museum Corporation (Perzim) has received the go-ahead from the management of St Peter’s Church of Malacca to start work on the 466-year-old building and the land it stands on in Jalan Bunga Raya Pantai along Malacca River.

“With the permission granted, work will begin very soon,” Perzim general manager Datuk Khamis Abas said yesterday.

Joseph Sta Maria, a representative of minority ethnic communities under the state Barisan Nasional’s social service unit (Pembela), said the announcement brought joy not only to Catholics in Malacca but also nationwide.

“The ruins of Rosary Chapel are significant to the Catholics in this country and the good news was delivered when devotees are in the midst of observing Lent,” he said.

Lent is a 40-day period before Easter during which Christians are encouraged to intensify their prayer, fast and perform acts of charity.

Sta Maria thanked Khamis for his perseverance in pursuing the conservation effort, adding that a special prayer would be held at the site on April 5 in conjunction with Easter.

Rosary Chapel was first built on the site by the Portuguese circa 1549. However, it was destroyed or allowed to fall into decay during the first decade of the Dutch occupation of Malacca, which began in 1641.

In 2006, the then Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry set aside a budget for the local authorities to undertake restoration works, deeming it a heritage complete with official signage.

However, the site was used to dump garbage and house heavy machinery used in a monorail project. This further damaged a large section of the site.

Patience rewarded: Sta Maria showing a page from a history book on St Peter’s Church in Malacca.