MALACCA: Malacca Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob, several other state dignitaries and some 3,000 people attended the third anniversary celebration of the declaration of Melaka City as World Heritage Site, held at the Independence Memorial in Bandar Hilir, here, last night.
The celebration this time took them back to the historic pre-independence days where in Febuary 1956, the people welcomed back the Malayan delegation seeking independence for the country led by the late Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj.
“The situation then and now, and the harmony and cooperation among the people of various races is a fine example in creating universal peace,” said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam in his speech at the event.
He said multiracial unity, peace, cooperation and tolerance had brought prosperity to Malaysia compared to the turbulent situation in some countries due to ethnic strife or sectarian violence.
“By preserving peace, prosperity and harmonious living will prevail which will help us create a stronger nation,” he added.
Malacca and George Town, Penang were declared World Heritage Sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) on July 7, 2008.
In conjunction with this year’s celebration, 42 events have been lined up for the whole month of July covering culture, arts and heritage.