Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Melaka - UNESCO's World Heritage?
How Melaka became an UNESCO's World heritage? In what angle they look at? What have they seen now and before? Melaka should never become a world heritage city. Historic sites have never been protected. What had started Melaka back hundreds of years ago even before the invasion of Portuguese in the year 1511. Melaka was a trading centre for the east and the west to meet. The Arabian, the Indian and the Chinese were there buying and selling their produce. Where they did it? The river banks of Melaka. One can find in the old photographs and paintings find in the museum and many history books. One can see staircases along the bank for the ‘tongkangs’ and small boats to unload the goods from other parts of the world. It clearly displayed the lifestyle of the people during the glamorous days. These river banks marks the beginning of the ancient world trade centre.
Where are these sights now? I am not talking about the people. It is the staircases, the godowns and the remaining structures of the 'heritage'. Tell you what. They are all beautifully decorated and replaced by concrete pilling into the river and laid new tiles by the side. Plant new trees and build restaurants which look so clean and nice. What the heck is this? The history of the old Melaka, we were so proud about. There is nothing left here really. Unambiguously it is simply a modern city. Very soon we shall see Starbuck sidewalk cafe there. Already there, a gigantic Markota Complex which out shine the real attractions of the historical value one can never replace. Let us ask ourselves, why do we go to Melaka? The chicken rice ball perhaps, but even that it is no longer original.
We still have the Christ Church and the A'famosa. Hey! Those things came after year 1511, a reminder of this land being shamefully invaded by the Westerners. That is fine, it is also history. The disgrace is that they are loosing their shine as well. Grave stones of the ancient Dutch were laid on the floor of St. Paul Church for many years before they were finally leaned on the walls. Too late, we can hardly read some of them (Some blurred one might have thrown away). In Holland, every town has a town hall called 'Studthurs'. In Melaka too it has one, the word was hung on the entrance of the red Dutch house and surprisingly it spelled in an ancient Dutch writing which no longer be used. A disappointed encounter at this red Dutch house opposite the church where this old, old reading was has gone missing but replaced by an electronics digital display. Shameful, embarrassing and angry over the inability of our city council have no competent in maintaining gifted treasures we inherited from time.
UNESCO members think again, are you also such an incompetent people. The world heritage sites in other parts of the world are awaiting you to appreciate and recognise their existence to be passed down to the generations. I doubt your professionalism pertaining to your choice of Melaka a world heritage. I protest ...
Written by S K Goh
10th July 2008
Where are these sights now? I am not talking about the people. It is the staircases, the godowns and the remaining structures of the 'heritage'. Tell you what. They are all beautifully decorated and replaced by concrete pilling into the river and laid new tiles by the side. Plant new trees and build restaurants which look so clean and nice. What the heck is this? The history of the old Melaka, we were so proud about. There is nothing left here really. Unambiguously it is simply a modern city. Very soon we shall see Starbuck sidewalk cafe there. Already there, a gigantic Markota Complex which out shine the real attractions of the historical value one can never replace. Let us ask ourselves, why do we go to Melaka? The chicken rice ball perhaps, but even that it is no longer original.
We still have the Christ Church and the A'famosa. Hey! Those things came after year 1511, a reminder of this land being shamefully invaded by the Westerners. That is fine, it is also history. The disgrace is that they are loosing their shine as well. Grave stones of the ancient Dutch were laid on the floor of St. Paul Church for many years before they were finally leaned on the walls. Too late, we can hardly read some of them (Some blurred one might have thrown away). In Holland, every town has a town hall called 'Studthurs'. In Melaka too it has one, the word was hung on the entrance of the red Dutch house and surprisingly it spelled in an ancient Dutch writing which no longer be used. A disappointed encounter at this red Dutch house opposite the church where this old, old reading was has gone missing but replaced by an electronics digital display. Shameful, embarrassing and angry over the inability of our city council have no competent in maintaining gifted treasures we inherited from time.
UNESCO members think again, are you also such an incompetent people. The world heritage sites in other parts of the world are awaiting you to appreciate and recognise their existence to be passed down to the generations. I doubt your professionalism pertaining to your choice of Melaka a world heritage. I protest ...
Written by S K Goh
10th July 2008
