Report on the Implementation of the Action plan of Melaka,

Malaysia
 UNESCO-NORWAY CULTURAL HERITAGE AND TOURISM PROJECT
Cultural Heritage Management and Tourism:
Models for Co-operation among Stakeholders
Case Study: Melaka Historic City, Malaysia
Lijiang, China
8 18 October 2001

SECTION 1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION

A. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Melakas conservation area contains both tangible and intangible cultural heritage
resources of universal value. The St. Pauls Hill Civic Zone has always been the seat of
governing bodies from the time Melaka was founded to the present day. Although
evidence of the Melaka Sultanate can only be seen in the form of a reconstruction of the
Sultans Palace at the foot of St. Pauls Hill, remnants of civic buildings dating from the
Portuguese occupation, Dutch period and British administration can still be found in this
area.

Meanwhile, the residential area surrounded by Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock - Jalan
Hang Jebat - Jalan Tukang Emas Jalan Tukang Besi Jalan Tokong was the most
important residential area of the bygone era. The Bendahara or Prime Ministers
residence and the famous Melaka Bazaar were both located in the vicinity of this
residential area during the Melaka Sultanate. Subsequently, the Dutch built two
residential areas along Hereen Street (for the rich) and Jonker Street (for the poor) and
the whole area was called Kampung Belanda or Dutch Village. When the Dutch left, the
Straits-born Chinese (Baba and Nyonya) took over this residential area and made
modifications to the faade of the buildings. Kampung Kling (Indian Muslim Village),
Kampung Jawa (Javanese Village), Kampung Serani (Eurasian Village) and Kampung
China (Chinese Village) were later established. However, the Malay, Portuguese and
Chitty communities have all moved out to designated enclaves around the city fringe,
leaving behind a legacy of harmonious living as evident in the location of places of
worship belonging to the Chinese, Malay, Chitty and Christian communities almost
existing side by side along Jalan Harmoni. Hitherto, it is this ideal of racial tolerance and
harmonious living that Melaka wants to share with the world.

B. STATEMENT OF COMMON VISION FOR DEVELOPMENT

To protect the unique cultural heritage resources of Melaka Historic City by

fostering a healthy collaboration among the various stakeholders in the development of
a sustainable tourism industry.

C. TOURISMS CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMON VISION FOR DEVELOPMENT

According to the Draft Melaka Structure (Review) Plan, which is expected to be completed by the
end of the year, the main policy on tourism development is:

to consolidate cultural heritage tourism as the Unique Selling

Proposition (USP) for the three districts in Melaka. .

This would entail the preservation of the States intangible and intangible heritage
tourism resources, notably within the conservation area. The structure plan also
recommends the active involvement of the local communities in the product
development, emphasising on development programmes to revitalise local culture.

SECTION II ACTION PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

A. MAIN ISSUE
 Lack of legal document and instrument to guide and monitor development within the
conservation area. The existing Structure Plan for Central Melaka is outdated and is being
reviewed whist the Local Plan was never gazetted. The Action Plan for Conservation
prepared by Badan Warisan Malaysia (Heritage of Malaysia Trust) in 1994 covered a
limited area and it is not backed by statutory power.

Five flagship actions were carried out since the Bhaktapur conference:

A.1 Action Plan for Cultural Heritage Tourism in Melaka Historic City

A.1.1 Prepared for the Melaka Museums Corporations (PERZIM), the aims of this action plan
are to preserve the present culture and revitalise lost skills and practices. Given that
most of the communities are living in enclaves at the city fringe, the study area extended
from the conservation area to these enclaves. A complete inventory of the cultural
resources of the main communities was carried out, namely the Baba and Nyonya
community, Malays (at Kg. Morten), Chittys (at Kg. Gajah Berang) and Portuguese (at
Ujong Pasir). The research instruments used in the study were a combination of semi-
structured interviews with the community leaders, focussed group discussions with local
committees. The participant-observer technique was mainly used in which the
researchers stayed at the homes of the community leaders/elders to get an insight into
their present and lost cultural resources as well as the communitys aspirations. A list of
recommendations was put forward to revitalise the various cultural resources. These
ranged from infrastructure development and the establishment of cultural troupes made
up of the local youths. To date, a launching grant of RM 50, 000 each for the Malay
community at Kg. Morten, the Chittys and Portuguese has been disbursed to set up a
local cultural museum at each site.

A.2 Action Plan for Cultural Tourism along Harmony Street

A.2.1 This action plan is a follow-up study in the form of a pilot project for cultural revitalisation
and tourism. The study area covered three streets, namely Jalan Tukang Besi, Jalan
Tukang Emas and Jalan Tokong. These streets are actually adjoining streets, commonly
referred to as Jalan Harmoni (Harmony Street). The new name is meant to reflect the
racial composition and harmony that used to exist among the its former residents during
Melakas bygone era. Currently, the only remaining evidence of the former racial
harmony is the location of places of worship belonging to each community group.
Nowhere else in the country can a mosque (Kampung. Kling Mosque), a Chinese temple
(Cheng Hoon Teng Temple), a Chitty temple (Sri Poyatha Vinayagar Moorti Temple) and
to lesser extent, a Tamil Methodist Church be located almost side by side along a single
street. However, most of these communities have been moved out to the enclaves at the
city fringe leaving behind a handful of artisans still practising their old world trade such as
the blacksmiths and goldsmiths. At the same time, Jalan Harmony is experiencing the
influx of tourism-related businesses such as theme cafes and souvenir shops. The action
plan recommended using the places of worship as interpretive centre for each of the
community. Besides providing information on the local history and heritage of each
community, the interpretive centres should also lure tourists to visit the enclaves of
each community.

The management of each place of worship were keen on the proposed establishment of the
interpretive centres For instance, the imam and the mosque committee of Kampung Kling
Mosque have given their blessing to turn a few empty rooms by the entrance into an
interpretive centre whilst the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple Trustee has offered a store next
to the temple office to be used as an interpretive centre/audio-visual room. Madam
Josephine Chua, a member of the temple trustee has also agreed to conduct guided tours
of the temple.

In addition, a budget hotel located opposite the Kampung Kling mosque is proposed to be
converted into an information centre. The proposal is to upgrade the reception lobby and
the central courtyard to provide a vibrant setting for the information centre. The hotel will
also provide guided tours in collaboration with the Melaka Heritage Trust, the Melaka
 Municipal Council and the local community groups. However, this suggestion is still at a
negotiation stage but the initial response from the owner of the hotel has been positive.

A.3 The Draft Melaka Structure Plan (Review) 2000 2020

A.3.1 The structure plan provides a legal document to implement land use policies concerning a
myriad of activities including conservation and tourism. In accordance with the Town and
Country Planning Act 1976 (commonly referred to as Act 172), existing structure plans
should be reviewed every 5 years). The Draft Melaka Structure Plan (Review) is
currently under preparation and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Although covering the a wide range of sectors for the whole state of Melaka, the structure
plan has given special attention to the preservation of the cultural heritage within the old
part of Melaka. In the light of this matter, the structure plan has designated a
conservation area surrounded by a buffer zone and recommended land use policies to
protect the cultural heritage resources within this designated area. In addition, the
structure plan has formulated general guidelines for the protection of the monuments,
sites and cultural resources within the conservation area.

A.4 Action Plan for the Melaka Historic City Conservation Area

A.4.1 This is the most important flagship action to be carried out in the effort to protect the
cultural heritage resources within the conservation area. This action plan is a follow up to
an earlier study carried out by the Badan Warisan Malaysia in 1994, in which an Action
Plan for Conservation was formulated covering the areas within Jalan Tun Tan Cheng
Lock and Jalan Hang Jebat (including parts of Jalan Hang Kasturi, Jalan Hang Lekiu and
Lorong Hang Jebat. Recognising that rapid changes have taken place since then, the
Melaka Municipal Council has commissioned a fresh review of the 1994 action plan,
covering a wider area. More importantly, this revised action plan in consonant with the
land use policies for conservation and tourism recommended in the Draft Melaka
Structure (Review) Plan 2000 2020.

Essentially the objectives of this action plan are:

To carry out a detailed inventory of the buildings in the conservation area and
to recommend specific guidelines to protect the heritage value of the
buildings.

To recommend the readaptive reuse of buildings in the conservation area

appropriate to their heritage value.

To recommend an efficient internal traffic and pedestrian circulation.

To formulate guidelines for the improvement of the visual quality within the
conservation area in terms of building maintenance, urban landscape, street
furniture, advertising and urban amenities.

The methods used in the inventory include:

A detailed inventory of the building faade, building condition and structure,

past and present use, land and building ownership and the historical/cultural
significance of the buildings (using 1:100 faade photographs) and 1:50
measured drawings, etc.)

Study of history and urban morphology.

Study of land use activities within and adjacent to conservation area.

Traffic study including traffic circulation, parking and pedestrian flow.

 Urban design and visual impact study.

Tourism impact study.

Effectiveness of existing incentives.

The expected output from the study will be in the form of the following:

Conservation guidelines to protect the streetscape and urban context in

consonant with the role of the conservation area as a cultural heritage area
containing a high level of cultural significance.

Specific guidelines for buildings with historical/cultural significance,

presented in the form of a design brief. This covers building maintenance,
restoration, reconstruction and adaptation.

Development guidelines covering new infill developments.

Area improvement programme to create a harmonious and vibrant setting

for the residents and visitors alike.

Recommendations to improve the institutional framework within the

Melaka Municipal Council including personnel recruitment, establishment of
advice centre, strengthening of enforcement unit, training and the formulation
of incentives.

The action plan is expected to be completed in December 2000 and will also be under the
purview of Act 172. Upon its gazettement, it will provide the Melaka Municipal Council
with the legal instrument to enforce its conservation legislation and guidelines.

A.5 Establishment of State Conservation Committee, Melaka Municipal Council

Conservation Committee and Melaka Municipal Council Conservation Unit.

A.5.1 Finally, two conservation committees have been set up this year to oversee the States
conservation efforts. The State Conservation Committee is chaired by the Melaka State
Secretary and the nations main NGO on conservation, the Badan Warisan Malaysia
(Malaysia Heritage Council) is an invited member of the committee. At the local level,
the Melaka Municipal Council has also set up the Municipal Council Conservation
Committee which has the local conservation, the Melaka Heritage Trust as an invited
member. Both these committees meet once a month.

In addition, the Melaka Municipal Council has set up a Conservation Unit headed by a
Conservation Architect since February 2001 assisted by a technical assistant and two
technicians. This is in anticipation of its additional responsibility in the new year once the
structure/action plans are completed and gazetted.

A.6 Stakeholders Involvement

i. Local Community Survey

Overall, the local communities were consulted during the data collection stage in the
preparation of the Draft Melaka Structure (Review) Plan. The Report of Survey was also
exhibited for one month to the public to solicit feedback.

Both the Action Plan for Cultural Tourism in Melaka Historic City and Action Plan for
Cultural Tourism in Jalan Harmoni employed a participant-observer approach, in which
the researchers stayed with members of the local communities obtain an insight and
record information on their cultural and religious practices.
ii. Public Forum

Two public forums and a high level discussion were organised successfully, namely:

Public forum and discussion at Puri Hotel coinciding with the visit by Ms. Elizabeth
Vines, the UNESCO expert from Australia (16 February 2001). The discussion centred
on heritage management and community participation and was attended by officers
from the Melaka Municipal Council, NGOs and the local tenants/traders.

A public talk was given by the heritage consultant from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and Mr.
Rosli Haji Noor, the Municipal Council Architect (Conservation) on the best practices in
heritage management. This was followed by a discussion with members of the Jonker Walk
Committee on the impacts of the Jonker Walk project.

As a follow up exercise, a discussion was carried out involving the Jonker Walk
Committee, Badan Warisan Malaysia and the Melaka State government headed by
the Chief Minister. As a result of the discussion, the State government agreed to
commission Badan Warisan Malaysia to conduct a study on the endangered old trades
within the conversation area, signage and paint and colour scheme.

iii. Meeting With Relevant Departments

The Melaka Municipal Council has also invited and included the Melaka Heritage Trust in a series
of meetings with relevant government department concerning conservation matters,
namely:

Meeting with the Melaka State Secretary regarding the Action Plan for the Melaka Historic
City Conservation Area.
Meeting with the Malacca Museums Corporations (PERZIM).
Meeting with the Melaka Municipal Council Conservation Committee.

iv. Heritage Village Committee

PERZIM has also set up a Heritage Village Committee each of the villages/settlements
designated as Heritage Villages i.e. Kampung Morten, Kampung Gajah Berang and the
Portuguese settlement at Ujong Pasir.

v. Jonker Walk Committee

Formed early this year, the Jonker Walk Committee is responsible for organising a night market
along Jonker Street every Friday and Saturday evenings (6 p.m. to 12 midnight) and
all-day on Sundays (11 a.m. to 12 midnight).

A.7 Coordination Among Stakeholders

The Melaka Heritage Trust is represented by the representative of each local community
i.e. the Straits-born Chinese, the Portuguese community, the Malays and the Chittys.

A.8 Problems/Obstacles Encountered

It was difficult to discuss and solicit feedback from an organisation that is supposed to
represent the various communities i.e. the Melaka Heritage Trust as it is made up of a
very diverse group and getting a full attendance during the discussions was not easy.
Although it was tedious, the various local communities were, therefore consulted
individually prior to any discussion with their umbrella organisation (the Melaka Heritage
Trust) .
 Furthermore the Jonker Walk Committee is criticised as not representing the Jonker Walk
residents as its members comprise only politicians, traders and house owners albeit not
necessarily the current tenants. As such, there have been a lot of complaints from the
local residents and tenants that the Sunday opening hours (when no cars are allowed
along the street) has had a negative impact on the sales of the traders operating along
Jonker Street, notably the antique shops.

A.9 Funding

i. Heritage Village

The PERZIM designated heritage villages of Kg. Morten, Kg. Gajah Berang the Portuguese
settlement at Ujong Pasir has each been given a launching grant of RM 50, 000 to start a
mini cultural museum/attraction at each site.

ii. Area Beautification Programme

About RM 0.5 m. has been spent by the Melaka Municipal Council on a beautification programme
within the conservation area which includes landscaping.

iii. Cultural Troupes

PERZIM has also spent RM 20, 000 each to each community to set up and train cultural troupes
comprising the local youths.

iv. Improving Tourism Facilities at the Heritage Villages

The Tourism Promotion Unit of the Melaka State Economic Planning Unit has disbursed RM 100,
000 to each community to improve tourist facilities such as parking and cultural
performance stage.

A.10 Output

Most of the above actions will only be implemented next year. These include a training
programme for professionals involved in conservation and a training/certification
programme for building contractors involved in restoration works.

A.11 Indicators and Stakeholder Response

Similarly, the indicators can only be measured once the actions/programmes are in place
next year. Nonetheless, a higher degree of awareness regarding conservation and new
avenues for local representation have been created so far.

A.12 Timeframe

An proposed time frame will be included in the Action Plan for Melaka Historic City
Conservation Area.

A.13 Effectiveness of the Action

As explained in Sect. A.14.

A.14 Model for Cooperation Among Stakeholders

Presently, the flagship actions have only been limited to creating opportunities for the
provision of community education and skills training leading to the employment
in the heritage conservation and culture tourism sector.
 The cultural preservation/revitalisation programmes at the community enclaves have
benefited the local youths and artisans. The cultural troupe at the Portuguese is currently
vary active in performing cultural performances. Besides rediscovering their roots, they
now have a steady income and has become a role model for the Chitty community.
Revenue captured from tourism (from parking tickets) has provided the community
leaders at Ujong Pasir to buy computers for the local children, hence improving their
socio-economic status. This is an important catalyst for social cohesion and organisation,
which in turn, will lead to the manifestation of culture, presented in the form of dances,
crafts, etc. PERZIMs Heritage Village project has also given a new lease of life to the
local artisans especially the wood sculptors at Kg. Morten. In addition, a tour operator
has set up a joint-venture with the residents of Kg. Morten to bring tourists to the village
to experience the authentic Malay kampung life.

SECTION III. ACTIONS NOT IMPLEMENTED/TO BE IMPLEMENTED

Several actions are planned to be implemented next year which include:

The establishment of the proposed interpretive centres along Jalan Harmoni (to begin
in March 2002).

A training programme for local professionals involved in conservation (to begin in

January 2002)

A training/certification course for local contractors involved in

conservation/restoration works (to begin in February 2002.

A training programme for local guides (to begin in April 2002).

Formulation of action plan for the preservation of the old trades within the
conservation area in collaboration with Badan Warisan Malaysia/Melaka Heritage
Trust (to begin inJanuary 2002).

Publication of tourist brochures (to begin in January 2002).