SELAMAT MERDEKA AND HAPPY MALAYSIA DAY

In 3 days time, Malaysians from all walks of life, creed, religion and races will celebrate our 55th. Anniversary of Independence Day or Merdeka Day. We achieved our Independence from Britain through negotiation and compromise from all Malaysian under the leadership of Tunku Abdul Rahman.

At the same time, we celebrate our Malaysia Day on 16th. September 2012.

Over these 55 years, Malaya then and Malaysia now has gone through many challenges. However, with the co-operation of the three main groups within Malaysia, we have managed to overcome these challenges. We prospered, work, play and live in harmony over these years and built Malaysia into what is today.

Many challenges lie ahead. Europe is in a state of uncertainty due to the Eurozone problems. USA's economy is still not robust enough while in Asia, China's growth is slowing.

Malaysians must unite together and face these challenges head-on. With all Malaysians working together in unison, we can overcome these external threats. Besides that, we need to overcome internal conflicts within Malaysia herself.

Peace and Harmony within Malaysia is important. We must maintain and improve our economic, social and financial goals so that Malaysians of future generations can enjoy the peace and prosperity built by our ancestors in our years ahead.

SELAMAT MERDEKA AND HAPPY MALAYSIA DAY!!!

MELAKA RIVER WALK AT NIGHT

You can see Melaka River Walk at night here.

MELAKA NEW CIQ BUILDING AT MELAKA RIVER MOUTH

20th. August 2012

This was how Melaka River mouth used to look like during the old days. Now, we have the newly opened CIQ complex on 1st. August 2012 as seen below. Added this photo to show the major difference between now and then. Enjoy.

Melaka new Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Centre located at the Melaka River mouth is completed recently. It should be operational soon.

Looks modern and the new CIQ will be able to cater to tourists from cruise ships, Dumai ferries from Indonesia and visiting yatches from overseas.

MELAKA RIVER DRAGON BOAT RACE

The annual Melaka River Dragon Boat Race will be held at the Melaka River mouth. The event will be held on Sunday, 17th. June 2012.

Visitors to Melaka are invited to witness this annual event where different teams from overseas and locally will take part.

Since 3rd. June 2012, Melaka is holding the Annual Melaka River Festival. Different activities will be held during this time including this Dragon Boat Race.

As the annual Dumpling Festival is held on 23rd. June, this Dragon Boat Race is significant to all.

Come and join in the fun at the Melaka River Festival. Enjoy.

MELAKA RIVER FESTIVAL STARTED FROM 3.6.2012

The Melaka River Festival started yesterday and will last about 30 days.

Various water activities are organised at the Melaka River. On 17th. June 2012, the Melaka Dragon Boat Race will be held at the Melaka River mouth. All are welcomed to see this Dragon boat race. Local and International Dragon boat teams will compete with each other.

MELAKA RIVER PROJECT MUST SAFEGUARD NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

Melaka River project must safeguard natural environment

May 25, 2012

FMT LETTER: From NK Khoo, via e-mail

The Melaka river beautification Phases one and two projects seem to have been bulldozed through without any public consultation to gather feedback and expert opinions on how to optimise taxpayers’ money and assess the impact on the environment.

For instance, the trees along the riverbank are being cut down indiscriminately for Phase two of the project by the contractors.

Singapore realised that its river beautification with concrete walls was not suitable for its native habitat. It has learned a bitter lesson and tried to restore the ecological environment by recreating and re-introducing a natural environment in the river several years on.

Why is Melaka and the Malaysia government repeating a similar mistake without learning from those made by others?

They should have cleaned up and deepen the Melaka river to maintain its natural setting and allow native habitats to flourish. It is not a rocket science.

Besides, by planting the right mix of plants on the riverbank, it could function as a cost efficient natural filtration system in the river.

This is a cheaper and a viable greener solution rather than build another multi-million ringgit sewage plant. The natural settings will attract monitor lizards, mud skippers, crabs, fishes and birds back to Melaka River as in 90s, free from its odorous and stinky past.

I believe most tourists prefer to cruise in a river filled with livable habitat than seeing concrete walls as found in Phase one of Melaka River beautification project.

May 17, 2012 16:06 PM 800,000 Tourists Targetted For Melaka River Carnival

JOHOR BAHARU, May 17 (Bernama) -- The Melaka state government hopes to attract 800,000 tourists during the Melaka River Carnival 2012 to be held for a month starting June 8.

State Transportation, Information, Unity and Consumerism Committee chairman Datuk Ghazale Mohamad said the sixth edition of the carnival would feature 53 attractive activities from government agencies and the private sector.

"The carnival had attracted 500,000 visitors last year and we are confident the figure will increase this year," he told reporters when promoting the event at the Sultan Iskandar Information and Broadcast Centre here Thursday.

Ghazale said the international level carnival would also include competitions in kayak and parade of boats that would be open to foreign participants as well.

He said participants from Portugal, Holland, United Kingdom and a number of Asian countries had already confirmed their entry.

-- BERNAMA