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Cuisine in Melaka

SAFARI STYLE FOR 2ND. PHASE MELAKA RIVER BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT

Second Phase Of Melaka River Beautification Project To Be Safari-style

MELAKA, Jan 17 (Bernama) — The second phase of the Melaka Beautification and Cleanliness Project will be developed according to the safari concept to attract tourists, Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said.

He said the RM285 million project, a continuity to the first phase, famous for its river cruise, would incorporate elements of fauna and flora in the area covering six kilometres.

“The first phase of the Melaka River beautification project has been drawing more than one million visitors yearly, which has also generated up to RM9 million in revenue. In the second phase, improvements are made by applying the safari concept, similar to that found along the Singapore River,” he said.

Speaking to reporters after the closing of the Water Treating Technology Workshop at Casa Del Rio, here today, Mohd Ali said several species of animals would be propagated along the route and colourful trees planted on the river banks and along the waterways.

The second phase project launched on May 21, last year, which stretches from Taman Rempah and the Hang Jebat bridge to Melaka Sentral, would have river banks protective features, walkways and water taxis, other than landscape beautification.

On the workshop, Mohd Ali said it was suggested that the state government use the oil and gas cleaning technology to improve the cleanliness of Melaka River.

“The cleanliness of the river is now at level three and through this technology, we hope it can be improved to level two, that will enable the river to breed certain type of fish and be safe for recreational activities,” he said.

Mohd Ali said he would apply to the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water to fund a pilot project using the technology, which was estimated to cost RM800,000 to RM1 million.

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Tourism Malaysia

Ponggal

Ponggal

Pongal adalah dianggap sebagai majlis kesyukuran. Kemuncak perayaan Pongal ialah majlis memasak beras mendidih sehingga ianya melimpah, melambangkan kekayaan dan masa menuai hasil. Perayaan disambut dalam tempoh empat hari.

Tempat
Sri Mahamariamman Temple, Jalan Tokong, Penang

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+604-650 5136

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Penganjur
Malaysian Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Penang

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All Malaysia Info

Sungai Buloh

At first glance Sungai Buloh may seem unassuming, quiet, boring even, an area within the Klang Valley with greenery. But visitors to Sungai Buloh are in for a surprise when they learn of its colourful past.

The Sungai Buloh we know today is a place where gardening enthusiasts go to purchase plants, vegetable seedlings and fertilisers from the many nurseries located in and around this suburban town. It is also set to be a major transport hub as it has been marked as one of the main stations under the new Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) project, aimed at reducing congestion and improving public transportation.

But there’s more to Sungai Buloh than meets the eye.

The Sungai Buloh Leprosy Control Centre is a 230ha (568 acres) settlement, with its lush greenery and idyllic surroundings, belie the history of this close knit community.

Historic events shaped Sungai Buloh

Severe leprosy outbreaks took place in Malaysia in the 1800s which prompted community leaders and local authorities to find humane ways to help lepers by providing them places to recover and get treatment, as existing facilities were far from adequate.

Based on local laws at the time, patients had to be segregated from others, either under supervision of medical staff or be housed in a camp. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, there were four leprosy camps in Malaysia – Pulau Serimbun (Malacca), Pulau Jerejak (Penang), Setapak (Selangor) and Pangkor Island (off Perak).

But it took a few medical experts and policy makers to do away with existing camps, which were likened to barbed-wired prisons. In 1923, Dr E. A. O. Traverse proposed a policy to improve the living conditions for those suffering from leprosy, in an area where patients could live with dignity, while receiving necessary care.

Selling not only items such as water features, the Sungai Buloh Garden World sells a concept with the objective to turn any home a heaven to come to.

With this push, Sir George Maxwell, the chief secretary of the Federated Malay States started to build a leprosy settlement in 1926, choosing Sungai Buloh for its lush valley and cool climate, much needed for leprosy patients who are sensitive to heat. Located near Bukit Lagong, by two rivers – the Sungai Buloh and Sungai Cemubung – it was a perfect place for the community.

The Sungai Buloh Leprosy settlement turned out to be one of the largest settlements under the British rule, and the second biggest one in the world, fondly also known as the Valley of Hope. The area, officially renamed National Leprosy Control Centre in 1969, was equipped with facilities and amenities to turn it into a garden city, allowing the community to become a self-supporting one. The idea of offering an opportunity to stem stigma was being realised in Sungai Buloh as lepers were able to grow their own plants for sale and earn an income, while living in a spacious and beautiful area.

Houses were built in clusters so people were encouraged to interact with another, on top of providing a sense of security. At each cluster, a food distribution area or market was built, again to encourage gathering of people to socialise while they visited these public areas. To further encourage community activities, a variety of clubs were set up. The Malay Club, various Chinese clan associations, the Indian Mutual Aid as well as drama clubs organised gatherings, dinners and performances. Similarly, religious institutions like temples, mosques and churches were built as a source of spiritual support for the community.

Over 2000 patients lived in Sungai Buloh, and the numbers were high enough to set up a separate administrative body. Simple civil functions such as birth, marriage and death registrations were supervised by a medical superintendent, who also monitored a divorce court in the area.

More importantly, Sungai Buloh was built for the leper community and it was run by the community. This gave a sense of purpose for leprosy sufferers as many became administrative workers, nurses, teachers and mechanics. Some were more entrepreneurial, setting up coffee shops, barber shops and small grocery stores.

Modernising Sungai Buloh

After the late 1960s, there were no more admissions to the centre, but plans to build an infectious disease control centre was laid out under the Ninth Malaysia Plan.

Some 200 elderly former leprosy patients still live in the area, either in their own homes or in hospital quarters. Conservationists did express concern over whether the lush green area would have to make way for development, but due to pressure from the Save the Valley of Hope group in a campaign to preserve Sungai Buloh, the authorities designated 78ha of the total 230ha area to be gazetted as national heritage.

The Sungai Buloh Leprosy settlement.

Old buildings still dot the Sungai Buloh area, as they offer charm and quaintness of this once contained community. People visiting the area are encouraged to venture beyond the horticultural area to admire the old church, wet market and houses which are still standing in this settlement. The old wooden hospital is still functioning as a medical facility, while its newer sister hospital takes on the more complicated cases in a modern steel and glass designed building located at the entrance of Sungai Buloh.

People who want to visit this historic settlement can do so by public transport. Visitors can board the KTM Komuter Train to the Sungai Buloh station and take a Selangor bus number 144A from the station into the settlement. Alternatively, visitors can take the same bus from Medan Pasar in Chinatown and stop at Sungai Buloh Hospital.


Map: Sungai Buloh


Categories
All Malaysia Info

Perlis – More than just a stopover

Perlis may be the smallest state in Malaysia, but holds its own when it comes to a rich historic past and charming attractions.

Perlis is located at the northern part of west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, south of Thailand and north of Kedah. With a population of close to 230,000 people in an area measuring close to 800 square kilometres, Perlis is known as the smallest state in Malaysia.

The capital of Perlis is Kangar and about 10km away is the state’s royal capital Arau. For most travellers, Perlis is a stopover on the way to other towns or tourist attractions. For example, Perlis’ Padang Besar is a border town that is part of a common route travellers take from Malaysia to Thailand. Perlis’ main port and ferry terminal at a small village of Kuala Perlis is also used to get to Langkawi Island, popular with foreign and local tourists.

Kangar

An aerial view of Kangar town today.

Even though Perlis is seen as a transportation link to other popular destinations, it is ironic that there is no airport in the state. Rail or road are the only options for people to get into Perlis. The nearest airports are located in Alor Setar, Kedah, which is about 40 kilometres away from Kuala Perlis, and on Langkawi island, about 45 kilometres away from Perlis’ main port.

Historical go-between

Originally, Perlis was part of Kedah and was ruled by the Siamese, which conquered Kedah in 1821. During Siamese rule, Perlis was called Palit. At that time the Siamese had signed an agreement with the British, where the latter acknowledged the Siamese claim over four northern states – Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu. This treaty, known as the Burney Treaty 1826, assured the British its claim on Penang and rights to trade in Terengganu and Kelantan without interference from the Siamese.

The exiled Kedah Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin and his followers fought for over 12 years to restore the Malaya Sultan to his throne, but finally the Malay ruler accepted the conditions set by the Siamese and resumed his Sultanate in Kedah. The Siamese then separated Perlis as a vassal state, where Sayyid Hussain Jamalulail became the first Raja Perlis or Perlis ruler.

In 1909, the Anglo-Siamese Treaty dissected the ownership of states again, leaving the Siamese’ southern Malay states to the British. While the British had installed a Resident in the state, Perlis was returned to the Siamese (or Thailand) during World War II for its alliance with Japan. But this was only done briefly as the annexation ended after the Japanese surrendered. Perlis became part of the Malayan Union, then the Federation of Malaya in 1957 and joined the Federation of Malaysia in 1963.

Bukit Jernih

Bukit Jernih in Chuping is one of the most colourful limestone hills in Perlis.

Perlis today

Kangar is the state capital of Perlis, with a population of about 50,000.  The 3000 ha sized town is located by the Perlis river. In the centre of the town lies the Sena district or popularly called “Uptown Sena” by locals.

Most of Perlis’ residents are civil servants or farmers who work on the paddy fields in the outskirt areas. The town centre is made up of crisscrossing streets lined by shophouses, typically housing banks, sundry shops and fast food restaurants.

Some believe that the name Kangar came from a hawk species called Kangkok while a different version of its origin is cited in the Perlis state government’s website. The website states that under the rule of Sultan Muhyiddin Mansor Shah from 1652, Tok Peduka opened Kangar in 1653. A Kangar tree was found at the river and subsequently he renamed the area, Pelabuhan Pohon Kangar or Port of Kangar tree.

Perlis’ main economic activity is rice farming and visitors are able to admire the expansive views of paddy fields, wooden huts and farmers tending to their crop when they travel beyond Kangar. Similarly like Perak, magnificent limestone mountains rise from these flat paddy fields, which add to the charm of Perlis. These mountains or outcroppings as they are known, are part of a long limestone range in Southeast Asia called the Nakawan, which lies on the border of Perlis and Thailand.

This 500 million year old limestone is home to over 600 species of flora and fauna, including 68 mammal species, according to the state tourism department. Visitors can explore the wonders of this limestone environment by visiting the 370-metre long limestone cave called Gua Kelam at Kaki Bukit, all at the Perlis State Park. The only way into the cave is by walking on an eight-foot wide wooden suspension bridge, which links Kaki Bukit to the Wan Tangga Valley.

A sea of green: The breathtaking view of the paddy field in Perlis.

History buffs can enjoy the state museum, Kota Kayang Museum or visit the Syed Alwi State Mosque, the former state mosque which was built in 1910. Other popular sights are the quaint fishing town of Kuala Perlis, popular as a transit hub and also for its local cuisine. A snake and reptile farm is located near Sungai Batu Pahat and surrounded by the Bukit Bintang Forest Reserve,  an attraction for nature lovers. At this farm, research is conducted to develop anti-venom medicine for snake bites. It houses over 20 species of snakes and reptiles, including crocodiles and monitor lizards.


Map: Perlis


Perlis State Park, Wang Kelian

North to Perlis we go!

Tasik Melati, Perlis

Kangar’s little gems

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