ID :
17406
Fri, 08/29/2008 - 20:59
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/17406
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'GRAND' INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION FOR WORLD HERITAGE CITY MELAKA By Mohamad Bakri Darus
MELAKA (Malaysia), Aug 29 (Bernama) -- This Sunday's Independence Day celebration bears much significance for southern state of Melaka after the state earned the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation's (UNESCO) recognition as a world heritage site.
Melaka's glorious years began in the era of the Malay Sultanate right until
when it became a pawn in the struggle between the colonial powers that sought
fame and fortune in the Far East.
Hence, Melaka's illustrious history had left numerous heritage and cultural
landmarks that proved to be the main draws for tourists.
This land of the legendary Malay warrior Hang Tuah received the Unesco
"World Heritage Site' recognition last July 7.
This significant acknowledgement is on 214.6 hectares of area, covering two
urban conservation sections split by the Melaka River.
The first area includes the St Paul Hill and its surroundings comprising
several government buildings, museum, church and what is left of the 16th
century Portuguese and Dutch forts as well as the 'Bukit Cina' (Chinese
Hill).
The second area covers the historic stretch of residential and commercial
areas comprising some 600 shop houses, mausoleum, houses and other
premises.
With the arrival of this long-awaited recognition, Melaka is holding a
month-long grand celebration themed "Warisan Hidup Sepanjang Zaman" (heritage of
era-long existence).
The Melaka Governor Khalil Yaakob officiated the celebration's launch held
last Aug 1.
"This recognition is a major achievement for the country and Melaka in
particular," said Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam, adding that it was an honour
for the state as it has been striving towards conserving its more than
500 years of heritage.
After receiving the World Heritage City honour, Melaka is expected to
receive a deluge of local and foreign tourists.
The chief minister said Melaka ensures that its centuries-old heritage is
preserved by maintaining the historic monuments and other structures.
"Melaka still retains the culture of various races, said to be the living
heritage where the society maintains the traditions like the wear, dishes,
customs, handicraft, marriage ceremonies and others," he said.
The Sumatran prince Parameswara discovered this state in 1396 and
named it
'Melaka' after a tree.
Later Melaka came to be known as the 'Venice of the East' after it
developed into an important port for merchants and their various trades.
This is when the various foreign cultures and customs arrived at this city
port, brought along by merchants from countries like that in West Asia, Europe
and Far East.
Hence, uniquely-designed buildings that reflect these various customs and
cultures began to sprout in this city port.
Malaysia's struggle for independence that culminated with the declaration
of Merdeka on Aug 31, 1957 had begun after Melaka fell to the Portuguese
invaders in 1511.
Over a century later in 1641 after a series of attacks, the Dutch invaders
overpowered the Portuguese and took over Melaka.
Melaka then became a colony of the 'Prince of Orange's' country (Holland)
until 1824 when Holland and Britain signed a treaty that paved the way for the
British to take over the Malay states.
The British rule came to a halt after Malaya fell to Japan on Feb 15 in
1942. However the British colonial government returned on September 1945 after
the surrender of Japan, and the end of World War Two.
Despite taking control of the port for 130 years, the Portuguese
mercenaries were not able to expand their authority beyond that as there were
continuous attempts by the Malays to retake Melaka.
During the Dutch rule, forces led by Raja Haji and Sultan Ibrahim tormented
the Dutch defenders but they managed to thwart the onslaughts.
Hence Melaka remained under Dutch rule for 180 years.
Meanwhile, the struggle for independence from the British colonialists had
produced a long list of warrior heroes in southern state Negeri Sembilan, in
northern Perak, in east coast state Pahang, in East Malaysia states of Sarawak
and Sabah, and in northeastern states of Kelantan and Terengganu.
Malaysia's first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Alhaj picked
Melaka as the place where he made the announcement that the country was going to
achieve independence, on Feb 20, 1956 at the Bandar Hilir field here.
The announcement came after the Merdeka entourage led by Tunku Abdul Rahman
returned from London after signing the agreement for independence with the
British government on Feb 11, 1956.
The entourage that also comprised the nation's other stalwarts like Abdul
Razak Hussein, Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, H.S.Lee, T.H.Tan and Abdul Kadir
Shamsudin boarded the Mv Asia at Singapore's Tanjung Pagar Port bound for London
on Jan 1, 1956.
Negotiations with Britain were held for three weeks, from Jan 18 until Feb
8, 1956.
Tunku Abdul Rahman's entourage left for home on Feb 16 and reached
Singapore on the midnight of Feb 19, 1956.
The very next day, they left for Melaka where a grand welcome awaited them
at the Batu Berendam Airport before the group proceeded to Padang Pahlawan in
Bandar Hilir where some 100,000 came to witness the historic moment.
The decision to announce the date of the country's independence was made at
an Umno emergency meeting held in Kuala Kangsar on Jan 13, 1956.
Happy 51st birthday Malaysia.
Melaka's glorious years began in the era of the Malay Sultanate right until
when it became a pawn in the struggle between the colonial powers that sought
fame and fortune in the Far East.
Hence, Melaka's illustrious history had left numerous heritage and cultural
landmarks that proved to be the main draws for tourists.
This land of the legendary Malay warrior Hang Tuah received the Unesco
"World Heritage Site' recognition last July 7.
This significant acknowledgement is on 214.6 hectares of area, covering two
urban conservation sections split by the Melaka River.
The first area includes the St Paul Hill and its surroundings comprising
several government buildings, museum, church and what is left of the 16th
century Portuguese and Dutch forts as well as the 'Bukit Cina' (Chinese
Hill).
The second area covers the historic stretch of residential and commercial
areas comprising some 600 shop houses, mausoleum, houses and other
premises.
With the arrival of this long-awaited recognition, Melaka is holding a
month-long grand celebration themed "Warisan Hidup Sepanjang Zaman" (heritage of
era-long existence).
The Melaka Governor Khalil Yaakob officiated the celebration's launch held
last Aug 1.
"This recognition is a major achievement for the country and Melaka in
particular," said Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam, adding that it was an honour
for the state as it has been striving towards conserving its more than
500 years of heritage.
After receiving the World Heritage City honour, Melaka is expected to
receive a deluge of local and foreign tourists.
The chief minister said Melaka ensures that its centuries-old heritage is
preserved by maintaining the historic monuments and other structures.
"Melaka still retains the culture of various races, said to be the living
heritage where the society maintains the traditions like the wear, dishes,
customs, handicraft, marriage ceremonies and others," he said.
The Sumatran prince Parameswara discovered this state in 1396 and
named it
'Melaka' after a tree.
Later Melaka came to be known as the 'Venice of the East' after it
developed into an important port for merchants and their various trades.
This is when the various foreign cultures and customs arrived at this city
port, brought along by merchants from countries like that in West Asia, Europe
and Far East.
Hence, uniquely-designed buildings that reflect these various customs and
cultures began to sprout in this city port.
Malaysia's struggle for independence that culminated with the declaration
of Merdeka on Aug 31, 1957 had begun after Melaka fell to the Portuguese
invaders in 1511.
Over a century later in 1641 after a series of attacks, the Dutch invaders
overpowered the Portuguese and took over Melaka.
Melaka then became a colony of the 'Prince of Orange's' country (Holland)
until 1824 when Holland and Britain signed a treaty that paved the way for the
British to take over the Malay states.
The British rule came to a halt after Malaya fell to Japan on Feb 15 in
1942. However the British colonial government returned on September 1945 after
the surrender of Japan, and the end of World War Two.
Despite taking control of the port for 130 years, the Portuguese
mercenaries were not able to expand their authority beyond that as there were
continuous attempts by the Malays to retake Melaka.
During the Dutch rule, forces led by Raja Haji and Sultan Ibrahim tormented
the Dutch defenders but they managed to thwart the onslaughts.
Hence Melaka remained under Dutch rule for 180 years.
Meanwhile, the struggle for independence from the British colonialists had
produced a long list of warrior heroes in southern state Negeri Sembilan, in
northern Perak, in east coast state Pahang, in East Malaysia states of Sarawak
and Sabah, and in northeastern states of Kelantan and Terengganu.
Malaysia's first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Alhaj picked
Melaka as the place where he made the announcement that the country was going to
achieve independence, on Feb 20, 1956 at the Bandar Hilir field here.
The announcement came after the Merdeka entourage led by Tunku Abdul Rahman
returned from London after signing the agreement for independence with the
British government on Feb 11, 1956.
The entourage that also comprised the nation's other stalwarts like Abdul
Razak Hussein, Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, H.S.Lee, T.H.Tan and Abdul Kadir
Shamsudin boarded the Mv Asia at Singapore's Tanjung Pagar Port bound for London
on Jan 1, 1956.
Negotiations with Britain were held for three weeks, from Jan 18 until Feb
8, 1956.
Tunku Abdul Rahman's entourage left for home on Feb 16 and reached
Singapore on the midnight of Feb 19, 1956.
The very next day, they left for Melaka where a grand welcome awaited them
at the Batu Berendam Airport before the group proceeded to Padang Pahlawan in
Bandar Hilir where some 100,000 came to witness the historic moment.
The decision to announce the date of the country's independence was made at
an Umno emergency meeting held in Kuala Kangsar on Jan 13, 1956.
Happy 51st birthday Malaysia.
