Malacca

A recent report showed Malacca recorded a healthy GDP and fiscal growth. Congratulations to the state government and especially the Chief Minister and his team for their hard work. No doubt; Malacca has experienced a major transformation within the past ten years. It has grown from a small town known as "sleepy hollow" to a world reknowned historical city globally.

Having the richness of its various ethnic culture; indeed Malacca is truly a represantative of a melting pot with a tinge of cosmopolitan taste. It has attracted the highest number of tourists over the years and has earned itself as a must stop destination for many tourists coming into Malaysia. Malaysia has its history deeply rooted in Malacca and has been pivotal in the evolution of our multicultured society we live in today.

With its rich heritage and preservation of colonial landmarks, Malacca enlivens the historical facts among us and restores the value of learning history. The Malaccans till today have rightly conserved the rich culture that was left by our colonial masters at one time and blended it well with our own values over time. The influence of Portugese and Dutch, especially within the culinary scope, has been well received and passed down generation after generations. This feature has been the hallmark of speciality offered by Malaccans and has been a nucleus of attraction for locals and foreigners.

Malacca has preserved its heritage buildings and historical sites exceptionally well over time and a must visit for all Malaysians indeed. The portugese, chitties, peranakans and baba nyonya culture, food and language is the unique attribute of Malacca. It has withstood the test of time showcasing how well foreign cultures have blended so cohesively and hormoniusly with the rich Malay culture. Having travelled extensively myself, I have never witnessed such a society so different and yet sharing so much of similiarities with respect to individuality.

Malacca state tourism board has done well in lining up various interesting activities for visitors to participate in. One of my favourites is the river cruise. It has been well planned and the cruise gives a fabulous view of Malacca from a different perspective. Within the half hour or so cruise, one will be enthralled with the beautiful lighting system and well kept pre-war buildings. Having grown up in Malacca in the 70's and 80's, whilst studying in the second oldest school in the country, Malacca High School, I truly say that it still provides the ambiance of that era despite the emergence of newer buildings and infrastructure within the city.

The iconic Bukit Cina which houses the largest chinese cemetary in the world within a city is a heaven for joggers per se. Buildings like the Stadhuys, A'famosa and the all famous St.Paul's Hill are a major attraction. And definitely not to forget the abundance of variety of foods it has to offer.

The 1Malaysia concept of living within a society has long been embedded within the hearts and practices of Malaccans and if only the larger part of Malaysians could emulate them. Malacca is indeed "Truly Malaysia".