An Introduction to Melaka

Historic City

Introduction

Teeming with history and drama, Melaka is a must-see on any tourist’s itinerary in Malaysia. Its people, many descended from foreign countries who married and settled down here, have a culture and way of life distinct from the rest of Malaysia, so much so that UNESCO has named it a World Heritage Site in July 2008.

Earning that recognition comes easily as Melaka is the only state in Malaysia that has been conquered by successive foreign invaders intent on monopolizing its trade routes during those golden centuries when it was the trade centre along the Straits of Malacca (as it was then known).

The very origin of its name is a source of several different accounts. Some contend that it was named after the “pokok Melaka” that grew in abundance there. Another account which is being taught in history books in Malaysia is that it was founded by a Sumatran prince, Parameswara, who while hunting one day was so taken in by the courage of a mousedeer that he decided to found on the spot the city and named it “Melaka” after the tree that happened to be shading him at the time.

Thereafter, his descendants reigned for several generations in what is known as the Malaccan sultanate. In 1511, several fleets of the Portuguese armada invaded the tiny sultanate in order to extend its trade route. The Dutch followed suit. Today, buildings such as the Stadthuys (Red Square) stand tall and proud as a legacy of the Dutch rule. The English marched in after that before Melaka gained independence in 1957 along with other states.

Covering an area of 1,950 km sq, Melaka is divided into three regions - Alor Gajah, Central Melaka and Jasin taking its place as the third smallest state in Malaysia. Located in the west coast of Malaysia facing the Straits of Melaka and in the southern region of the peninsula, the state capital is Melaka Town.

Located 147 kms south of Kuala Lumpur, it is bordered by Negeri Sembilan to the north and Johor to the east. Its population as of 2007 was 759,000 with 57% of the population being Malay, 32% Chinese including the Peranakans and Indians, plus those who are partially Portuguese and Dutch Eurasians falling into the minority.

Transportation

Transportation in Melaka is versatile with express buses traveling to all major towns in the country and Singapore. Bus services operate from two main terminals at Melaka Sentral, off Jalan Tun Abdul Razak. The taxi centre is also located there.

Ferry services to Dumai, Sumatra operate daily and an island boat service to and from Pulau Besar and Pulau Upeh are available as well. A mere 2 hours from KL by road, Melaka also boasts a domestic airport in Batu Berendam. The closest train terminal is at Pulau Sebang, 30 km north of Melaka town.

Public Amenities and Facilities

As with all major towns in Malaysia, there is a police headquarters, a fire brigade force, an immigration department and a post office. The state has several government and private hospitals. Government hospitals include the Melaka General Hospital and the Jasin District Hospital. Private hospitals include the Putra Hospital, Pantai Ayer Keroh and Mahkota hospitals.

In the education arena, Melaka is well known for its prestigious higher learning institutes such as Melaka-Manipal Medical College, Multimedia University’s twin campus and several public universities such as Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UteM), Kolej Yayasan Melaka (KYM) and Kolej Universiti Islam Melaka (KUIM) which have attracted many foreign and local students.

Economy

Tourism and manufacturing take up a great portion of the economy which includes manufacturing consumer products, automotive, computer and electronic components. Melaka has 22 industrial estates which are developed by the Melaka Development Corporation with most of the industrial properties concentrated in areas such as Jalan Taman Teknologi Cheng, Lebuh Ayer Keroh, Jalan Krubong, Jalan Perindustrian Batu Berendam, Jalan Tasik Utama, Jalan Abadi and Jalan Usaha.

Batu Berendam is known for its electrics and electronics while Serkam is synonymous with halal food to name a few. The manufacturing sector contributes a 3.1 per cent growth in its GDP, while its services sector, dominated by tourism contribute the most to its GDP.

Some of the foreign industries operating here are National Semiconductor (M) Sdn. Bhd. (U.S.), Infineon Technologies (M) Sdn. Bhd. (Germany), Panasonic Semiconductor Discrete Devices (M) Sdn. Bhd. (Japan), Roxul Asia (M) Sdn. Bhd. (Denmark) and others.

Popular tourist attractions include a replica of the Melaka Sultanate palace, at the foot of St. Paul’s Hill which reflects the ancient Malay settlement, St. Paul’s Church, once a place of worship for Portuguese Catholics, and the ruins of A’Famosa fort (built by the Portuguese) that was built to defend Melaka.

The Stadthuys which used to be the residence of the Dutch governor, is now the centre of the Old Quarters of Melaka town. No tourist should go home without his or her photo being taken in front of it.

Other famous spots include Bukit Cina, the Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum, showcasing the Chinese in the region who have adopted a Malay way of life, Hang Tuah and Hang Li Po’s well, Jonker’s street famous for its intricate carvings and antique shops, Portuguese Square which captures the essence of Portuguese culture, St. Francis Xavier’s Church and St. John’s Fort.

Shopping & Recreation

Melaka has all the trappings of modernity with air-conditioned shopping malls mushrooming all over the city. Mahkota Parade Shopping Centre, Dataran Pahlawan Melaka Megamall, Melaka Mall Shopping Complex and Plaza Melaka Raya as well as hypermarkets and departmental stores like Parkson Store, Jaya Jusco Store, Tesco Hypermarket and Giant Hypermarket all contribute to the typical Malaysian’s weekend pastime – hanging out at the cool shopping malls where one can shop, eat, watch a movie, bowl as well as people-watch.

Golf enthusiasts will be kept busy as the small state has no fewer than 6 golf courses - A’Famosa Golf Resort, Golden Valley Golf and Country Club, Ayer Keroh Country Club, Pandanusa Golf Club, Orna Golf and Country Club and Tiara Melaka Golf and Country Club.

Property Developments

Some of the established Melaka developers include Bukit Wawasan Development Sdn Bhd, Cosmal Enterprise Sdn Bhd, Eng Development Co Sdn Bhd, Hampstead Development, Metacorp Properties, LNS Development Sdn Bhd and Skyline Resources (M) Sdn Bhd. Although apartments and condos are becoming more prevalent, semi-detached houses such as Crystal Bay, bungalows such as Lavender Heights and Orna Bungalows as well as residences such as Taman Seri Mangga Seksyen 1 and Tasik Utama Commercial continue to appeal to buyers and investors.

Condominiums that have become known fixtures of the landscape include Plaza Melaka Raya Service Apartments, Garden City Condos, Straits Court Travel and Melaka Travel Service Condos. As for commercial centres, some developments include Pulau Melaka, a man-made island in Melaka Town, a fast growing commercial area with amenities such as marine theme park, hotels and marina. There is also the Taman Batu Berendam Putra developments in Batu Berendam Melaka. View more