Eye On Malaysia

Eye On Malaysia on the background with reflections upon the Melaka River mouth with silhouette of a couple.

Silhouette of a fishing enthusiast along the river banks of Melaka River.

Accommodations in Melaka?

Melaka To Have Arab Village To Woo Tourists

January 22, 2009 20:05 PM

MELAKA, Jan 22 (Bernama) -- An Arab village will be set up in Melaka to attract more tourists, especially from Middle East countries, to visit the state, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said today.

He said an investor from Saudi Arabia was willing to invest RM300 million for the project.

The village will have an Arabic Bazaar, comprising 300 shops, and also replicas of the various popular tourist destinations in the Middle East countries, he told reporters after chairing the weekly state executive council meeting.

Mohd Ali said that five traditional villages in Melaka -- Kampung Bukit China, Kampung Bandar Kaba, Kampung Limbungan, Kampung Terengkera and Kampung Ujung Pasir -- would be declared "heritage villages", in addition to three -- Kampung Chitty, Kampung Morten and Kampung Portugis -- which had been given the status by the Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry.

He also said a study would be carried out by the state government on the feasibility of having a tram service in the Melaka town.

Melaka Plans To Build Tourism Gallery In Singapore

MALACCA: The Malacca government plans to build a gallery in Singapore to showcase tourism products aimed at attracting Singaporean tourists.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the state was looking for a suitable site and expected construction of the gallery to start in January or February.

“With the uncertain economic situation, I believe Singaporeans will choose to visit nearby destinations. Malacca wants to seize this opportunity,” he told reporters at the Istana Kampung Gelam Malay Heritage Centre in Singapore recently.

Mohd Ali, who was leading a tourism promotion delegation to Singapore, said that Malacca chose the republic to start the promotion as it was a major contributor of tourists.

Similar tourism promotions would be held in Thailand and Indonesia.

He was confident that Malacca’s new tourism product called Duck Tours, which had received a warm reception in Singapore, would be a big hit in Malacca as well.

“Duck Tours uses a mode of transportation that functions on air, land and water. It will be the first of its kind in Malaysia when it becomes operational in Malacca this month.

Malacca’s other new tourism products are Eye On Malaysia at the Malacca rivermouth and Menara Taming Sari in Bandar Hilir. – Bernama

UDA to build hotel along Malacca river

MALACCA: Urban Development Authority Holdings (UDA) is set to develop a 26-storey hotel and a multi-tier street mall along the historic Malacca River within the next two years.

UDA chief executive officer Datuk Jaafar Abu Hassan said the project would cost about RM100mil and comprise construction of the hotel, commercial lots, street mall and a jetty.

“There would be four levels of street malls which would resemble that of Bugis Street in Singapore and is to be the largest street mall in the country,” he said after the opening ceremony of the Gerak Usahawan program in Ayer Keroh recently.

The project would be located on site near Jalan Tun Ali.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali said the project would help spur the state’s tourism industry while increasing bumiputra ownership of business premises within the city.

Source : The Star

Eye On Malaysia

New wonder: A fireworks display lighting the sky during the official launch of the Eye On Malaysia at the Malacca rivermouth on Friday.

Picture from The Star, 11 November 2008 (Tuesday)

More on the news here. Get great accommodations and confirmations directly from the hotels from here.

'Eye' off to great start

New Straits Times; 08 Nov 2008

MALACCA: Some 10,000 tourists and Malacca folk alike converged at the mouth of Sungai Melaka to witness the official launch of the Eye On Malaysia, here, last night.

The Eye on Malaysia Malacca was launched by the Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob.

Standing 60m tall, the Ferris wheel will give riders a view of the World Heritage City of Malacca on one side and the Straits of Malacca on the other.

The Ferris wheel, which was moved from Kuala Lumpur's Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, has now found its permanent home at the riverbank of Sungai Melaka.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said some 700,000 visitors were expected to flock to the Eye On Malaysia in the first year of its operation.

"We are confident of achieving this target and the timing of the opening of the Eye is also important, as it is near the end of the year and school holidays are just around the corner."The Ferris wheel will be run by Eye On Malaysia Sdn Bhd, a joint venture between MST AD Suria and Kumpulan Melaka Bhd, the investment arm of the state government.

The investment here cost some RM50 million, including the RM6 million spent to buy the land on which an entertainment park will be built.

Eye on Malaysia to be relocated to Malacca

The Star
Tuesday September 2, 2008
By THO XIN YI
Photos by BRIAN MOH

IF YOU visit Taman Tasik Titiwangsa in Kuala Lumpur at night from now on, you will be sure to feel a sense of emptiness. Why?

New base: The Eye on Malaysia will be relocated to Malacca soon.

There is a vacuum there now that the lights of the iconic Eye on Malaysia at the lake garden are switched off following the final day of its operation there on Merdeka Day.

The 60m-high Ferris wheel had been operating at the Taman Titiwangsa since January last year, but it will be dismantled and relocated to Malacca this week.

According to Widyanty Yusope, the executive director of MST AD Suria Sdn Bhd, the operator of the Eye on Malaysia, the structure was originally put up in conjunction of the Visit Malaysia Year 2007 (VMY’07), but its operation was extended to Aug 31 this year, following popular demand.

“With the conclusion of the VMY’07, our contract has also come to an end,” Widyanty said.

Starting on Thursday: Cross explaining the dismantling process of the Ferris wheel.

“We are sad to leave Lake Titiwangsa,” MST AD Suria events marketing executive Rahyu Waris said..

Throughout the 20 months at Lake Titiwangsa, the Ferris wheel with 42 gondolas had attracted nearly 1.8 million visitors.

The once quiet Taman Titiwangsa was bustling with activities following the setting up of the tourist attraction, which took visitors up in the air to view the breathtaking Kuala Lumpur skyline during the 12-minute ride.

Next to the wheel, there was an Eye Cafe for visitors to enjoy a cuppa beside the scenic lake.

The dismantling work will start on Thursday, led by four engineers from the German-Swiss manufacturer and assisted by 16 local workers.

“Only the manufacturer’s engineers and technicians know how to dismantle each part of the giant wheel and how to specially load the parts into the containers,” operations manager Graeme Cross said.

Widyanty: The Eye on Malaysia will be opened to public in October in Malacca.

The first few steps of the dismantling process involve clearing up the walkway where visitors queued up to get on to the Ferris wheel, and taking down the fencing and entrance roof.

“After clearing the loading base, the gondolas will be taken off, followed by the storm bars, rim beams, spokes, globes and finally the axle,” Cross said.

“Given the optimum conditions, including fair weather, the work will be completed within six days. All the parts will be transported to Malacca, while the steel pins currently holding the parts together will be replaced with new ones,” he said.

In the historical city, the structure will be permanently installed at Kota Laksamana at the Malacca River mouth, close to the Straits of Malacca.

“It will be a 1.6ha leisure park equipped with a water screen, two restaurants and a space exhibition. We will develop it in three phases,” Widyanty said.

The structures at the park, according to her, will be a combination of modern and traditional buildings.

“It will be opened to the public in October and we target to have 700,000 visitors for the first year there,” Widyanty said.

AirAsia To Start Operation In Melaka's Bukit Berendam Airport Dec 8

Bernama 13 August 2008

MELAKA, Aug 13 (Bernama) -- Low cost carrier AirAsia is expected to start its operations this December 8 at Melaka's Batu Berendam Airport (LTBB) which is undergoing a facelift worth RM131.5 million.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said six destinations had been identified by Air Asia for its initial operations comprising four places in Sumatra and two domestic destinations.

"The destinations jointly agreed upon, using the Boeing 737 aircraft, are Palembang, Pekan Baru, Padang and Medan in Sumatra, and Pulau Pinang and Langkawi," he told reporters after chairing the Exco meeting here Wednesday.

Also present at Wednesday's event was Air Asia chief executive officer Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes, chairman of Air Asia Datuk Aziz Bakar and the general manager of Malaysia Airports Bhd, Abdul Rahman Karim.

Mohd Ali said the four major towns in Sumatra were selected based on their potential for medical tourism while Pulau Pinang and Langkawi for their popularity as tourist destinations.

"Among other destinations being suggested are Jakarta, Kota Kinabalu and Nanjing in China and we have opened negotiations to other airline companies besides Air Asia which showed an early commitment to use the LTBB," he said.

The expansion and upgrading work on LTBB which started last April is expected to be completed in April next year and a major aim is to provide facilities to medical tourists.

The number of medical tourists who sought medical assistance in the specialist hospital in Melaka is estimated to have gone up to more than 67,000 people last year compared with 18,000 people in 2004 with most of them coming from Sumatra.

Work on LTBB is being carried out by the Uni-Integrated consortium which will construct a new terminal covering 7,000 sq metres and is expected to be equipped with various facilities to cater to both domestic and international flights.

Mohd Ali said the Batu Berendam airport will be able to handle a capacity of 1.5 million passengers a year, adding that some 500,000 visitors were expected in the first five years.

On the runway, which would have to be extended by 400 metres to 2,200 metres from the current 1,800 metres, he said the contractors involved in the expansion of LTBB had agreed to first bear the cost of RM40 million.

"I am giving the guarantee to the contractors that the state government will pay the RM40 million after a period of several years," he said.

He said that the application for the RM40 million has been also submitted to the Transport Ministry and is currently under consideration.

The extension of the runway to 2,200 metres is in line with international specifications for the safe and comfortable landing of an Airbus 320.

Meanwhile, Tony said Air Asia was ready to cooperate with the Melaka government. He also described Melaka as having great potential as a tourist destination especially in medical tourism.

"Coincidentally, Dec 8 is also the anniversary date of Air Asia and we are ready to take on a role in LTBB and hope to transport many tourists through the LTBB," he said.-- BERNAMA

Melaka & Georgetown Heritage Trail

With the declaration of Melaka and Georgetown as UNESCO World Heritage City, we can expect more funds being poured into conservation project to enhance the cities with their latest acquired status to the world. The education efforts on the significance of the declaration by UNESCO and the heritage sites should be promoted not only in foreign countries but locally.

Recent efforts by American Express Foundation to re-generate interest in local heritage sites through Melaka and Georgetown Heritage Trail is commendable and should form the catalyst for many more large corporations to come forward to play their role as a corporate responsibility.

The following maps produced by the Foundation provide clear direction to users to find out what the heritage sites are all about and value it's existence.

Melaka Heritage Trail Map

Georgetown (Penang) Heritage Trail Map

For accomodations in Penang and Melaka, check here as your room reservations are directly with the hotels.

Nice Little Cosy Bus Stop

Do you realise that being creative can provide that sparkle to your product and services?

What more when you have such little cosy settings yet no frills such as this bus stop spotted in Ujong Pasir Melaka. With Melaka declared a World Heritage City, a little attraction like this will go a long way in developing Melaka as a tourist hub.


Situated near a row of shops close to Portuguese Settlement, it is one of the most patronize bus stops in Ujong Pasir and Melaka State Government should look into having more unique bus stops reflecting the heritage without overdoing like those "beca" (trishaws) in Melaka which I felt had been overly decorated!

Gremlins in Melaka?

Remember the 1984 movie "Gremlins", a popular horror comical movie directed by Joe Dante? Well, it caught my imagination a little when I watched it way back then and quite enjoyed it though. It was mogwai ("evil spirit" in Chinese) which was given the name "Gizmo" in that movie.

The movie and mogwai(s) was far away from my memory till recently.




It was while travelling in Melaka a few days ago that I thought I would snap a picture of a palm tree which looks plain to me though. Not till I got home and my kid said "Dad, look it's a Gremlin!". I was like ???? As the palm tree was next to a burial ground and it's the 7th month of the Chinese calendar, it gives me even more reason to take a closer look.

After looking at it again and again, I found the above picture truly had similarities to the ever popular little character of the movie which I decided to share in this travel blog.

Who says photography is not a fun hobby when travelling? Go get your digital cameras ready and start clicking of which you'll never know what the picture turns out to be.

Glorious Rambutans

Rambutan is a tropical fruit native to most parts of Southeast Asia and in Malaysian kampungs (villages) or orchards, a visitor may witness trees all in red and yellow rambutans during this period of the year.

There are also many websites dedicated to this wonderful fruit such as this and it will be a delight for foreigners to sample this fruit during a visit to Malaysia. It is sweet which explains why ants are attracted to the fruit and we just have to be extra ceraful when harvesting the fruits from the tree.

It was good old times when kampung lifestyle living was part of my growing up years and look forward to using the "galah" (long bamboo pole) to pluck the rambutans from the tree while at times, we climbed up the tree to reach those juicy fruits.

Reminiscent of the past and re-live those I did recently when I visited a kampung (which incidentally) is an annual affair to have a share of the rambutans.

No tree climbing this time as noticed that it was ants galore which I dare not take the risk but rather stick to the galah to reach the rambutans high up the tree.

Despite the nenek (Malay old lady) persistence to have more of the rambutans, I had to politely decline as my neck and shoulders are getting stiff from all that gazing up the trees while trying to harvest the rambutans. It is the fun and enjoying the sweetness of the rambutans which made up the tiredness followed up with the 1.5hours journey back into the concrete jungle of Kuala Lumpur.

More pictures from the rambutan tree back in a Malay kampung in Melaka.

Melaka UNESCO World Heritage City Celebrations

In conjunction with the declaration of Melaka and Georgetown as World Heritage City last 7 July 2008, Tourism Melaka had drawn up various programs to celebrate this auspicious event in the whole month of August 2008.

Be there and savour the moments of celebrations! Accommodations in Melaka (and Malaysia)can be found here.

High living on the high seas

Source : The New Straits Times, Monday July 21, 2008

R. Gomathy

Enjoy five-star dining while cruising on the luxurious 'Lili Marleen'.

MALACCA: Fancy sailing aboard a luxury yacht and experiencing five-star dining on the high seas in the Straits of Malacca?

Then check in at the "floating hotel" in the form of the 76m-long yacht Lili Marleen, which belongs to the Halim Mazmin group.Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam, who visited the yacht moored near the Malacca port yesterday, said he believed the floating hotel would be the next big tourism product to attract more tourists to the state.

"I consider this ship as a reward for Malacca being successfully listed (as a Unesco World Heritage Site). "

Anchored off Malacca town's waterfront, the Lili Marleen can accommodate up to 150 passengers. It offers world class facilities such as deluxe cabins, restaurants, a lounge with bar and a sunbathing deck.

"It is a versatile platform for a variety of social, leisure and business functions. From now on, off-site seminars, conferences and meetings, luxury cruises and sail training can be arranged by the Lili Marleen crew."

Mohd Ali along with hoteliers, travel agents and members of the Malacca Tourism Department and the media, were treated to a cruise along the Straits of Malacca yesterday.Meanwhile, Halim Mazmin group chief executive officer Tan Sri Halim Mohammad said the crew members were prepared to sail all the way to Penang and Langkawi."

The Lili Marleen is 15 years old. She was purchased for E 6.5 million (RM33 million), and we are proud to own this one-of-a-kind ship in the Asia Pacific."

"Our concept is very simple -- for the guests to rest, relax and unwind. "If the response is promising, then we are willing to add another vessel to meet the demand.

"We accept bookings for events such as wedding receptions. All you have to do is to inform us. We will plan the rest."

Bandar Hilir English School Celebrates 100 Years Of Founding

Bandar Hilir English School (BHES) or now called SK Bandar Hilir was established in 1908 and was one of the feeder schools to Malacca High School (MHS). BHES celebrated her 100 years of founding on 14th. June 2008.

The Parents Teachers Association and the School organized the Grand Dinner of more than 100 tables on Saturday, 14th. June 2008 with a bumper turnout of 1200 people from all walks of life including prominent old boys and their family members, teachers , students and members of the public .

There were two sessions, BHES I and BHES 2. BHES 2 had always been the afternoon session then and sharing the same facility till they they shifted to with about 2000 pupils and 70
teachers then.

Details about the School can be read at: http://www.skbandarhilirmelaka.net/.

Week Long San Pedro Festival Begins

The week-long San Juang and San Pedro festival in honour of St Peter, the patron saint of fishermen from June 23 to 29, 2008. Visitors can only experience this festival at the Portuguese Settlement in Ujong Pasir, Melaka.

Special prayers will be performed at the village’s community hall before the start of the festivities. A candlelight procession began from the Portuguese Settlement Community Hall with children holding candles and clad in green, to symbolise purity and innocence, spread the light throughout the settlement.

Event organising chairman Michael Banerji said the village would be expecting a bumper crowd of 8,000 visitors and tourists throughout the week.

Cultural shows, modern and shuffle dance performances will be among the highlights.

There will be games, karaoke contest and cooking competitions every day for people to win attractive prizes.

A boat decoration competition will be held on June 29 and the boats will receive blessings from the local priest.

A food and fun fair will be an all-day event starting as early as 10am on weekends and 3pm on weekdays till midnight.

To keep the crowd entertained, there will be live bands performing every night.

Look here for hotels!

Malaysia-Melaka Festival Kicks Off

Malaysia-Melaka Festival (MMF) in New York, which kicks off on May 12, has already begun.The two-week MMF is being presented as a Malaysian and Melaka cultural and culinary extravaganza.

"The festival had been conceived for some time. Melaka offers a unique Baba-Nyonya culture and cuisine. Indeed, Melakas culture and cuisine blend well into Malaysias overall cultural and culinary picture," Datin Amy Hamidon wife of Malaysias permanent representative to the United Nations Datuk Hamidon Ali, said in an interview with Bernama.

The event will be presented before an international audience comprising diplomats accredited to the United Nations and other important officials representing a cluster of international agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in a city that touts itself as the world capital.

Other then New York, it will also be held in Los Angeles and Vancouver, BC.

Vesak (Wesak) Day

Vesak Day (Wesak) or Buddha Day is a public holiday in Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Myanmar, Indonesia, Thailand and in many more countries where Buddhism is practice. It was in 1950 when Vesak Day was formally conceptualize during the Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists in Sri Lanka.

On Vesak Day, Buddhists all over the world commemorate events of significance to Buddhists of all traditions: The birth, enlightenment and the passing away of Gautama Buddha. As Buddhism spread from India it was assimilated into many foreign cultures, and consequently Vesak is celebrated in many different ways all over the world.

Devout Buddhists and followers congregate to the temples for the ceremonial Buddha flag hoisting and singing of hymns in praise of the holy triple gem of The Buddha, The Dharma (his teachings) and The Sangha (his disciples).

The offerings are normally of flowers, candles and joss-sticks is a simple reminder of how life is subject to decay and destruction as represented by the flowers and joss-sticks which will whither and burn out respectively. Pigeons are normally released as a symbolic act of liberation and freedom to those who are in captivity, imprisoned or tortured against their will.

Most Buddhists would consume vegetarian food on that auspicious day and would spend the whole day in the temple to observe the Eight Precepts. Most temples would display figurine of a small Buddha in small basin filled with water to belocated in front of the temple altar for the followers to pour water over the statue as a symbolic event of Buddha’s birth, where devas and spirits made heavenly offerings to him.

The Eight Precepts are:

* Not to kill
* Not to steal
* Not to engage in improper sexual activity
* Not to indulge in wrong speech
* Not to take intoxicating drinks and drugs
* To abstain from taking food at unreasonable times
* To refrain from sensual pleasures such as dancing, singing and self-adornment
* To refrain from using high and luxurious seats in order to practice humility.

In Melaka, the main celebration of Vesak Day would be the Seck Kia Enh temple in Gajah Berang where thousands of the Chinese are expected to visit this temple to offer prayers on the eve and on Vesak Day itself which falls on May 19, 2008.

However, the main event would be the procession or parade on the eve of Vesak Day which attracts thousands of people to line up the streets to watch the procession which includes marching bands, hymns singing, floats and Buddhist monks chanting and sprinkling holy water to bless the crowd lining the streets.

The parade which normally takes 2 hours will start from the grounds of the Seck Kia Enh temple before making its way through Melaka town before finishing at its starting place. During the procession, traffic around Melaka town freezes as the parade makes it way through the narrow and historical streets of Melaka. The parade would see sea of white as devotees dress in white amidst the colorful floats.

It had always been a pleasure to be at this event ever since I was a kid and it is truly a photographer’s haven snapping away and capturing moments of the parade proceedings. The burning of incense leaves an aromatic trail along the route of the procession and creates an air of calm and peaceful. The candle bearers singing hymns, lion dance and noticed some Bhangra dancers last year added some air of festivity to the procession which exemplifies a multi-ethnic Malaysia in harmony.

However, one should not miss the Grand Vesak Day procession in Melaka which occurs every 10 years with the last held in 2002 and this will be an event that everyone should make a date to witness the procession.

Make your way to Melaka to witness this event and for hotel accommodations, reserve here.

Happy Vesak!

Melaka Zoo

Ever thought of visiting a zoological park amidst natural settings and with more then 1,200 species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians?

Well, if that interests you and your family, Melaka Zoo, the second largest zoo in the country situated just 3km from the Ayer Keroh toll (North-South Highway) and approximately 13km from Melaka city centre. This zoo was opened in 1963 and currently boasts of an Open Concept and maintains the natural green environment besides functioning as a center for wildlife research, conservation breeding, zoo education center and a popular tourist destination.

This Zoo which seats on an area of 54 acres, was the first in the region to exhibit the endangered Sumatran rhinocerous and Gaur in addition to the other main attractions i.e. Serow and Malayan Tiger.

In November 2000, a 1.5ha Mini Safari was launched in the center of the park in landscapes featuring man-made ponds, streams, greenery and with animals of 20 species roaming freely in their natural environment. Visitors would walk on platforms above the grounds to view the animals in this Mini Safari.

Night Zoo was introduced since 4th June 2004 and is open to visitors on every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and also on eve of public holiday.

Walking around this Zoo certainly matches the gym workouts and for the less enthusiastic, tram rides is available which do stop at the enclosures of the main attractions. In between the walks, visitors will have the chance to ride on elephants and horses but available only during weekends, public and school holidays.

The huts constructed within the zoo compound are equally much sought after by the visitors to rest their tired legs and A&W Restaurant cafeteria is available to fill up the empty stomach.

Animal shows are a daily affair at the zoo and offers another attraction visitors would not want to miss. While the Orang Utan show is funny, the snake show can prove harrowing to the audience. Beware on where and what you are sitting on!

As a remembrance of this memorable visit, the souvenir shops at the exit sell many memorabilia e.g. key chains, t-shirts, umbrellas, caps and etc. at affordable prices.

It would be half a day gone by just visiting the Melaka Zoo and would be good to rest your tired limbs at a hotel in Melaka before heading back home if you are staying out of Melaka.

However, if you still eager for more fun around Ayer Keroh after the Zoo visit, within the vicinity of the Zoo is the Ayer Keroh Recreational Lake, Crocodile Farm, Orang Asli Museum and Ayer Keroh Recreational Forest.

School holidays are back

Malaysia and Singapore school mid term breaks (holidays) are soon approaching. The roads and hotels will all be facing heavy movement with school trips or family holidays. These end-May break coincides with the Arab holiday season and can expect hotel rooms to be in demand.

Malaysia School Holiday
24 May - 8 June 2008

Singapore School Holiday
24 May - 22 June 2008

In Malaysia, several destinations would be the focal point for domestic holidays such as Melaka, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Langkawi and Cameron Highlands.

Prior to that, Wesak (Visakha) Day falls on May 19 (Monday) and the same can be said holiday spots to be jam packed especially Melaka. The annual procession around Melaka Historical City will take place on Sunday May 18 and with the long weekend, the town centre leading towards Bandar Hilir can expect a long crawl with many looking forward to experience the newly opened Menara Taming Sari (revolving observation tower), Melaka River Walk and Jonker Walk.

To reserve your rooms early, here are some hotels where you can book directly and obtain the direct confirmation from the hotel. This gives you the peace of mind to travel during the school holidays knowing that accomodation is guaranteed.

Happy holidays and have a safe and pleasant journey!