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Cuisine in Melaka

MELAKA TARGETS 14 MILLION VISITORS IN 2013

Melaka records 6.8 mil tourist arrivals, confident of 14 mil target

Posted on 1 October 2013 – 04:28pm
Last updated on 1 October 2013 – 04:57pm

MELAKA (Oct 1, 2013): Melaka has recorded 6.8 million domestic and foreign tourist arrivals during the first six months of this year, from 6.7 million in the corresponding period last year, Chief Minister Datuk Idris Haron told the State Assembly today.

He said the state was targeting new markets, like the Middle East and Africa, with efforts being made to attract more tourists from the affected countries to come to Melaka.

“The (state) government is confident of achieving this year’s target of 14 million tourist arrivals, compared with 13.7 million last year,” he said in his motion of thanks on the speech by the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Melaka, Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob when opening the Melaka State Assembly sitting.

He called on all quarters to play their role to achieve the target and not to politicise issues, like the case on the closing of Jonker Walk which was aimed to reduce traffic congestion in the area.

Idris said efforts were also being made by the state government to attract more investors and negotiations were in progress with giant companies, like Microsoft and Guardian, to get them to invest in Melaka.

The state government is also discussing with a company from Spain to build a renewable energy plant, involving investment of RM2 billion, he added.

Bernama

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Cuisine in Melaka

ELECTRIC BUSES FOR MELAKA BEFORE CHINESE NEW YEAR 2014

Electric buses for Malacca

Posted on 18 August 2013 – 08:51pm
Last updated on 18 August 2013 – 09:26pm
Vathani Panirchellvum
newsdesk@thesundaily.com

AYER KEROH (Aug 18, 2013): Malacca’s plans of becoming a green technology city state steps closer with the advent of electric buses, scheduled to be launched before Chinese New Year next year.

Chief Minister Datuk Idris Haron said that for starters 10 buses will ply the World Heritage City of Bandar Hilir, giving a positive impact on the environment, according to a report in Melaka Hari Ini, a community newspaper.

“If this project is successful, Malacca will be the first state that uses electric buses as an initiative to improve the public transportation system in the state, making it comparable to other countries like the US and Japan. The use of the environmental-friendly electric buses will reduce the use of petrol and diesel, thus lowering the carbon footprint,” he said.

Idris added that the project will give positive returns in the long run as the buses can fit up to 40 passengers and will reduce the usage of fuel as much as RM0.20 per km, bringing in a profit of RM0.49 per passenger to the government.

The buses can move up to 40km per hour, he said, adding that it is based on the town bus concept, with standing room for most, and seats prioritised for the elderly and people with disabilities.

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Cuisine in Melaka

ONE MILLION VISITORS EXPECTED

A million visitors expected for Malacca River Fest

MALACCA: A million visitors from all over the country and abroad are expected to enjoy the thrills and join the fun-filled Malacca River Festival that starts here on June 1.

The month-long festival, introduced in 2007, has proven to be one of Malacca’s main annual events with the number of visitors growing each year, said Chief Minister Datuk Idris Haron.

“We have all the reasons to expect a huge turnout, further boosted by the rebranding of the event, known previously as Pesta Sungai Melaka,” he said after opening the International Scout Jamboree in Tehel near here yesterday.

“The festival is a crowd-puller as, beside the aesthetics of the rehabilitated Malacca River, there will be various activities organised by both government agencies and the private sector throughout the festival,” he said.

Idris added that this year’s festival would also showcase a river procession of decorated boats and fireworks.

On another development, the Chief Minister said the Malacca and Sumatra governments had agreed to have a new gateway here that would allow easy daily travel between the two territories.

Under the proposal, Indonesians would be able to travel here by sea to work and return home after their working hours.

“Indonesians can come to work in Malacca and return home, like Malaysians from Johor working in Singapore,” he said.

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Cuisine in Melaka

MELAKA PLANS YACHTING HUB

YACHTING HUB: State plans to build marinas to attract 20pc of seafarers who pass by straits every year

MALACCA: THE Malacca government is hoping to attract 20 per cent of more than 3,000 yachts passing through the Straits of Malacca each year with the construction of marinas along the coasts of Klebang and Tanjung Kling.

The building of the marinas would be a private sector initiative with the support of the state government in terms of land, basic infrastructure and policies.

Chief Minister Datuk Idris Haron said the state, once a famed port of call for sailors from all corners of the world, had the potential to see its glorious past resurrected.

“I was told that at least 3,000 yachts pass through the Straits of Malacca annually and if we can get 500 of them to stop here, it would not only boost tourism but also create an economic spin off for the local economy.

“The sailors travelling in their own yachts are in a league of their own and they will definitely contribute to our economy.

“With the marinas, we would also provide services such as maintenance for their vessels, medical attention, food and beverages and also other facilities to attract them,” he said after launching two new Catamarans, a 50-footer and a 33-footer, built by local boat manufacturer, Boat Explorer Sdn Bhd, at the Seafarer Restaurant in Klebang here yesterday.

Idris said Klebang and Tanjung Kling could be the next “Gold Coast” in southeast Asia.

“In Malacca, there are many areas which could be turned into marinas but we have to be selective and make it happen. Just look at Sungai Melaka, once an eyesore, it is now the most visited tourist attraction in the state.

“However, before implementing the marina projects, we have to conduct a proper study.”

Asked if the new state administration had any plans to salvage sunken treasures believed to lie off the coast of Malacca, Idris said no proper and credible research had been done on the possible locations.

“If there are pictures of these treasures and proper research done on the vessels, then we do not mind embarking on an exploration to look for them.”

Idris also thanked Boat Explorer, a branded recreational boat builder, for helping to promote the state among its customers.

Read more: CM: Malacca can be the next Gold Coast – General – New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/cm-malacca-can-be-the-next-gold-coast-1.298497#ixzz2W1RBkIvC

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Cuisine in Melaka

MELAKA TAMING SARI TOWER LURES 3.3 MILLION VISITORS WITHIN 5 YEARS

Melaka Taming Sari Tower Lures 3.3 Million Visitors Within Five Years

MELAKA, June 15 (Bernama) — The Melaka Taming Sari Tower here has managed to lure 3.3 million visitors with ticket collection totalling RM29.9 million over the first five years of its operation.

Chief Minister Datuk Idris Haron said it was an increase of 0.8 million visitors from the original target set when it was first opened in April 2008.

Over the first five months this year alone, a total of 227,107 visitors with ticket collection of RM2.4 million were recorded, he said.

He said it was an overwhelming achievement, and hence proved the determination of the management of Melaka Taming Sari Berhad (MTSB) in turning the 110m tall tower worth RM24 million into Melaka’s popular tourism product.

“We believe that this tourist product can contribute to the more developed and competitive eco-tourism industry,” he said after opening the 5th anniversary celebration of the tower here today.

Also present were MTSB chairman Datuk Mat Sirat Abu and chief executive officer Mazary Ahmad.

Idris said MTSB would also introduce a new tourism product soon, that is a ‘reverse bungee’, in a bid to diversify the tourism products at the tower.

However, he said the reverse bungee facility, which is expected to be built at the end of this year, must get prior approval from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) as it would be built on one of the world’s heritage site.

“It is still at the discussion stage and we will seek advice and consultancy from the supplier and Unesco about the suitability of the location and height,” he said.

At the event, Idris also launched the book published by MTSB titled ‘Heritage Trail Melaka Mosques’, which showcases the beauty of mosque architecture in Melaka, including at the Selat Mosque, Tengkera Mosque and Al-Azim Mosque.

— BERNAMA