HJ ZULHEIMY MAAMOR - MISCELLANEOUS: MELAKA

BANDAR HILIR, MELAKA

Banda Hilir is a tourist area located in Melaka City, Malaysia, within the Melaka Tengah district. It is situated next to Banda Kaba and Melaka Raya.

This area is home to 15 fascinating places to explore, showcasing the beauty and history of Banda Hilir. Notable attractions include the Menara Taming Sari, Stadthuys, Maritime Museum, and Muzium TLDM, among others.

Memories of some places I have visited in Bandar Hilir, Melaka

IEM BRAINSTORMING SESSION

HOTEL CENTURY MAHKOTA

Jalan Syed Abdul Aziz

Melaka

March 2000

The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia has conducted a Brainstorming Session at the Mahkota Century Hotel in Melaka in March 2000.

A Brainstorming is a method of generating ideas and sharing knowledge to solve a particular commercial or technical problem, in which participants are encouraged to think without interruption. Each participants shares their ideas as soon as they come to mind.

MELAKA TRISHAW

Trishaws are a common sight in Melaka, beautifully decorated with flowers and often equipped to play a medley of songs. Before the industrialization era, trishaws served as one of the main modes of transportation in Melaka. Today, they are a popular option for tourists looking to explore the city’s sights. With their side-by-side seating arrangement, trishaws are easily recognizable in the city center.

The trishaw drivers in Melaka are often some of the best unofficial tour guides you'll find - they know every hidden corner of the city.

PORTA DE SANTIAGO (A FAMOSA)

Located next to the Stadhuys, A Famosa is a significant historical landmark that descends from Bukit Melaka, formerly known as St. Paul Hill. Built in 1511 under the command of Alfonso de Albuquerque, the fortress was intended to strengthen the Portuguese position and provide housing for soldiers as well as storage for ammunition.

In 1641, the fort was seized by the Dutch, who later transferred control to the British in the early 19th century. The British planned to demolish it, but Sir Stamford Raffles intervened in 1810, preventing its destruction. Visitors can still see the coat of arms of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) and the inscription "ANNO 1670" above the arch, which were added when the Dutch renovated the gate following their conquest of Melaka.

It is perfectly situated in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage zone, within easy walking distance of other iconic sites like the Stadthuys (Red Square) and the ruins of St. Paul Church.

Today, remnants of the ancient fort remain, including the entrance facade and a church structure.

My son in 2008 and 2016 at the same place.

STADHUYS

Also known as the Red Square, built shortly after Melaka was captured by the Dutch in 1641, it is the oldest remaining Dutch colonial building in Southeast Asia. It stands at the center of "Red Square" (Dutch Square), flanked by the Christ Church Melaka and the Tang Beng Swee Clock Tower, making it the primary starting point for most heritage walking tours.

It served as the residence of the Governor as well as an administration center and town hall. Presently it houses the History and Ethnography Museum, as well as the Literature Museum. You can explore detailed exhibits on Melaka history, ranging from the Malay Sultanate to the Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial periods.

REPLICA OF MELAKA SULTANATE PALACE

The Palace of Sultan Mansur Shah who ruled Melaka from 1456 to 1477 has been faithfully recreated at the foot of Bukit Melaka (formerly Bukit St.Paul), based on information and data obtained from the Malay Annals (Sejarah Melayu).

The architectural style has been preserved where no nails, only wooden pegs. There are more than 1,300 historical items pertaining to the customs and traditions of the royal household are on display. It is a great place to start a journey into Melaka's past.

It is situated at the foot of the Bukit Melaka (formerly St.Paul Hill), directly behind the A Famosa fort, bridging the history of the Malay Sultanate with the arrival of European colonial powers.

MARITIME MUSEUM (FLOR DE LA MAR)

Melaka's most visually striking attractions. Located just ahead of Stadhuys, it is a replica of the Portuguese ship Flor de La Mar that sank off the coast of Melaka on November 15, 1511, on its way to Portugal. The museum features the maritime history of Melaka. Visitors can see a variety of porcelain, silk, textiles and spices that were once the primary commodities traded in the Straits of Malacca, as well as ancient nautical instruments and weaponry.

The museum was opened to the public on June 13, 1994, by Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad.

TAMING SARI TOWER

The only and first gyro tower in Malaysia, it offers a panoramic view of Melaka within 7 minutes. It provides a height of 80m while revolving 360 degrees. The name "Taming Sari" is derived from "Sari Keris," a mythical weapon that is said to have belonged to the legendary warrior Hang Tuah. Situated at Jalan Bandar Hilir, the tower is just minutes away from Bukit Melaka.

www.menaratamingsari.com

PROCLAMATION OF INDEPENDENCE MEMORIAL

Located in the city center, close to A Famosa, the building was originally known as the Malacca Club and was constructed in 1911.

It was officially opened by Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj on August 31, 1985. It served as a venue for social activities for government officials. It was located exactly where the date of independence was first announced by Tunku Abdul Rahman. It is situated directly across from the A Famosa fort ruins, making it a central part of Melaka's UNESCO Heritage Zone.

Right outside the main entrance, you can see the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air that was used during the historic proclamation ceremony.

In 1985, the building was converted into a memorial that houses documents related to the country's independence, along with other historical artifacts.

CHEVROLET BE 52

The white car in the background, a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air with the plate number BE 52 is a significant piece of Malaysian history. Located in Bandar Hilir, Melaka, the "Merdeka Car" was famously used by Malaysia's first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman, during the declaration of independence. It was used to transport the Tunku from the Malacca Batu Berendam Airport to the Padang Pahlawan in Bandar Hilir on February 20, 1956, after he returned from London with the agreement for Malaya's independence.

The Car is permanently displayed outside the Proclamation of Independence Memorial in Melaka.

The car was eventually tracked down and restored by Naza Quest (the former Chevrovel distributiors in Malaysia) to ensure it remains in pristine condition for future generation to see.

ROYAL MALAYSIAN NAVY MUSEUM

A museum that exhibits items used by the Royal Malaysian Navy. Also known as Muzium TLDM, exhibits include photos of admirals, medals of honor, etc. The museum was previously located at the Royal Malaysian Navy base in Lumut, Perak. It was then relocated to Melaka to take advantage of the larger number of tourists, both local and foreign visitors. The new location of the Naval Museum was opened to the public on October 28, 1995.

It is located in the same heritage cluster as the Maritime Museum (Flor de lar Mar), making it easy to visit both in one trip.

Ex - KD Sri Trengganu. RMN Patrol Craft

BUKIT MELAKA

A walk up to Bukit Melaka (formerly St. Paul's Hill) is a must. When the Portuguese captured Melaka in 1511, they built their fortress, A Famosa, here. A chapel named "Nossa Senhora do Oiteiro" or "Our Lady of the Hill" was erected by a Portuguese captain, Duarte Coelho, in 1521. It was built by the Portuguese to honor the Virgin Mary after surviving the storm at sea. It later became the Cathedral of the Assumption.

When the Dutch took control of Melaka in 1641, they renamed it St. Paul's Church. St. Francis Xavier, who regularly visited the chapel, was buried here in 1553 before his remains were transferred to Goa in India.

The hill provides one of the best vantage points in the city, overlooking the Melaka River, the city skyline, and the historic Straits of Melaka. It is adjacent to the A Famosa fortress and the Melaka Sultanate Palace at its base.

A white statue erected in 1953 commemorates the pioneering missionary.

MAHKOTA CENTURY HOTEL

BANDAR HILIR , MELAKA

I Attended the "Brainstorming Session" at the Mahkota Century Hotel in Bandar Hilir, Melaka in March 2000 while working at The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (1999 - 2011).