The Star Online: Metro: South & East
The Star Online: Metro: South & East |
- GE13: Kota Melaka constituency is filled with a colourful past, myths and tourist attraction
- Chuah: MCA only concerned with solving current public complains
- Dr Wee: Only BN will provide stability
| GE13: Kota Melaka constituency is filled with a colourful past, myths and tourist attraction Posted: 20 Mar 2013 06:41 PM PDT MALACCA: Kota Melaka, a coastal and highly urbanised parliamentary constituency covers sizeable sections of Historic city and is the commercial pulse of the Malacca state. The Chinese electorate-dominated constituency covers Bandar Hilir, Melaka Raya, Banda Kaba, Kampung Morten, Bukit Cina, Ujong Pasir including the mystical island of Pulau Besar. The constituency is also home for Peranakan Chinese (Baba and Nonya community), Chettis, Punjabis, Gujaratis and the local Kristang (Portuguese) community. Although a myriad of developments took shape around the aged constituency and enthralling historic core, the gems of Malacca are still its heritage wonders that lures million of visitors from within and outside the country. The heart of the former Malacca Sultanate, the constituency is filled with colourful past and myths. In 1511, the Portuguese invasion destroyed the Malacca Sultanate; in 1641, the Dutch invaded and ousted the Portuguese; in 1942, Dutch control fell to the Japanese. Kota Melaka is also touted to be soil where the maiden arrival of the Portuguese Catholic missionaries that led to flourishing of the Roman Catholic religion to the Malay Peninsular. The first Catholic priests landed in Malacca in 1511 as military chaplains to the Portuguese. Kota Melaka played a crucial role as a stopover for the thousands of missionaries who spread the faith to the other closer regions. Till today, it is undeniable that Kota Melaka holds a special place in the history of the Church in this region. The Chinese also considered Kota Melaka as their home before the arrival of the Portuguese. Yongle, Emperor of Ming Dynasty send his envoy known as Ying Ching to Malacca in 1405. Yin Ching's visit opened the way for the establishment of friendly relations between Malacca and China. Chinese merchants began calling at the port of Malacca and they can be said to be among the first traders to set up bases here. Admiral Zheng He (Cheng Ho) was among the first Chinese to set-up settlement in Kota Melaka during his maiden epic voyage from the port at Nanjing to India in early 1400s. Till today, Zheng He's seven wells lie in the foot of the Bukit China, beside the Sam Poh Teng Temple. These wells were dug by Admiral Cheng Ho's Expeditionary Naval Force during their stopover in Melaka during the Ming Dynasty. The Chinese chronicles mention that in 1414, the son of the first ruler of Malacca visited Ming, together with local Chinese to inform them that his father had died. The Chinese early influence in Kota Melaka can be attested by Cheng Hoon Teng, the oldest and grandest temple in Malacca. The name Cheng Hoon Teng means Temple of Clear Clouds in Hokkien. It was founded in the early 17th century - around 1645 - by the leader of the Chinese community at that time and sits in the core zone of the Malacca Unesco World Heritage Site. The constituency was also said to be the cradle of Hinduism and Buddhism during the height of Majapahit in Java and Sri Vijaya Empires. Sri Poyatha Moorthi Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Malaysia as well as the oldest functioning Hindu temple in the Malay archipelago. Kota Melaka also host many historic spots, namely A'Famosa, Stadhuys, tombs of Hang Jebat and Hang Kasturi, St Paul Hill, St John's Fort, whereas the island of Pulau Besar is known for its old tombs of Muslim religious leaders and other mystic sites. Numerous religious landmarks are also found in Kota Melaka, among ohers: Masjid Kampung Hulu (1728 - oldest mosque in Melaka), Masjid Kampung Keling (1748), Cheng Hoon Teng Temple (1645), 200-year-old Sri Subramaniam Thuropathai Amman Alayam, Catholic Church of St Peter (1710), Catholic Church of St Francis Xavier (1845), Christ Church (1753) Melaka Tamil Methodist Church (1908) and Gurdwara Sahib Melaka. Kota Melaka is so significant that political parties, both Barisan Nasional and Opposition, have dubbed the constituency as a "Jewel in the Crown''. Contesting parties from both political divide are not willing to lose the constituency and had placed Kota Melaka as their utmost priority parliamentary seat in the forthcoming General election. Kota Melaka is a 35-year DAP fortress, but the party lost the seat to MCA candidate Wong Nai Chee in the 2004 General election. The current MP for Kota Melaka Sim Thong Hin is an old-timer and is very popular figure and considered a well-respected leader among the senior voters. He is poised to defend the constituency in the forthcoming election where political pundits are confident that he would retain the seat without any problem due to the anti-establishment sentiments among the electorates, especially the younger ones. Kota Melaka electorates are more concerned on "bread and butter" issues and for them it doesn't matter which political party represents them. However, pundits said there was chance for MCA to wrest the parliamentary seat if Barisan fields the young and energetic state MCA youth leader Dr Yee Kok Wah. Dr Yee have been going around aiding the needy in the constituency and rarely makes any unwanted remarks thus gaining the momentum among the electorates. He also threads issues very cautiously and makes a point to visit the minorities like the Peranakan Chinese and Chetti communities. A senior Kota Melaka electorate, S. Saravana, 46, observed that Dr Yee stands very good chance as Kota Melaka electorates felt that he should be given a chance. However, the ruling party's chances of wresting the five state seats are considered slim, as the trend of urban voters regardless of their ethnicity is much inclined towards the Opposition. Nevertheless, another seat to watch is Bandar Hilir where Barisan is expected to name Kota Melaka MCA youth deputy chief Ronald Gan as a candidate. Gan too has laurels among the electorates as he reached to the middle class in the constituency through various programmes and financial aids. He recently established the "rotan battalion" where housewives and senior citizens gave resounding approval to Gan for coming forward to resolve their perpetual woes -break-ins and snatch thefts. Bandar Hilir electorates were also predominately English speaking and Gan has impressed them through innovative project including championing for a seaside jogging track in Taman Hilir which the residents have been craving for since 1969. Whilst the current Bandar Hilir assemblyman Tey Kok Kiew is perceived as a quiet person and not vocal as State DAP chairman Goh Leong San in raising issues affecting his electorates in Kesidang. In the case of Kota Laksamana, where three-term incumbent Betty Chew has expressed her intention not re-contest, Barisan is expected to field state PPP chairman Senator Datuk Chiw Tiang Chai. Chiw has good support in Kota Laksamana because of his charitable works and financial assistance to the poor. Also in his favour will be the unhappiness caused by the absence of Chew who is more often in Penang where her husband Lim Guan Eng is Chief Minister. Still, the consensus among Barisan leaders is that it would be an uphill task to change the voting pattern of the people in the constituency. Voter Vincent Low, 43 said although Kota Melaka is an urbanised constituency, there are still people who lived in dilapidated homes. "Look at the some of the houses, it speaks volume on the electorates' standard of living, they need help. "It could be because the constituency is still in the hands of Opposition, the voters have to face the brunt of the ruling Barisan government," he said. Low said there is ray of hope for Kota Melaka as Barisan's Kota Melaka Parliamentary Supporters Club president, Datuk Muhammad Ahad was now addressing the woes of the electorates. "I am apolitical but Kota Melaka needs more, especially uplifting the voters' earning capacity," he said. Another electorate Tan Jeok Kwang, 51, said the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) in the city centre is seen a positive development in garnering more votes for Barisan. "Electorates are hungry for some changes especially providing more convenience to them. "UTC was a good way of addressing the traffic woes faced by the locals where they could now carry-out transactions with various government agencies under one-roof without getting stuck in bottlenecks. Jeok Kwang said the voters in Kota Melaka are matured and would throw their support to Barisan if their woes could be addressed. "From my feedback, the locals yearn for effective and friendly services from the related government agencies, currently the younger civil servants were hostile towards the elders. "Voters were happy with the leadership styles of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam but unhappy with certain civil servants who shuns them and this later translate to votes against Barisan," he said. Electorate Malvin Tan, 47, said the perpetual traffic congestion in Kota Melaka should be addressed that would soothe the heart of electorates to vote the party who could lift their headache of getting stuck in long-jam. "Just imagine a drive from Seremban to Alor Gajah Toll Plaza is less than 30 minutes but it takes another 30 minutes to reach Bandar Hilir. "Why don't we have a ring-road system in Malacca city like other cities in Malaysia where the traffic could be diverted during peaks hours," he said. Another electorate, Abd Aziz Emran, 39 said the Barisan led state-government failed to look into the traffic woes in Kota Melaka. "What is a use of having world-class hotels when the core of the voters' resentments like traffic congestion is not addressed. For Haron Musa, 44, a voter who had voted since 1995 elections said the escalating crime rates in Kota Melaka should be solved first before any political parties goes around soliciting for votes. "Look, we are living in fear, crime occurs daily in the city, Malacca police should be proactive in curbing the index and not concentrate on traffic offenders only," he added. |
| Chuah: MCA only concerned with solving current public complains Posted: 20 Mar 2013 06:42 PM PDT TEMERLOH: Talks of a possible swap in two parliamentary seats among Pahang Barisan Nasional component parties remain just a speculation. In brushing aside such talks, Mentakab assemblyman Datuk Chuah Boon Seong said due to the forthcoming general election, all sorts of speculation are bound to arise. "As far as MCA is concerned, we are not paying heed to such talks. "Our main concern is to go to the ground regularly and try to resolve any pressing woes brought up by the people. "Any change in seats allocation is the prerogative of Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak," he said after attending the opening of a restaurant here. Of late, there is speculation that the Kuantan parliamentary constituency - which was contested by MCA in the last general election - would be swapped with Temerloh. Umno is expected to contest in Kuantan against incumbent Fuziah Salleh of PKR. Among the names being singled out as potential candidates were Kuantan Umno division deputy chief Datuk Abdul Hamid Mohd Nazahar and Kuantan Umno Youth chief Datuk Mohamed Suffian Awang. As for Temerloh, several MCA leaders names were making its rounds including Chuah, Temerloh MCA division deputy chief Datuk Wong Tat Chee and former senator Datuk Hiang A-Li. Chuah, who is also the Temerloh MCA division chief, urged the public not to listen to such speculation as there was no truth to it. "All candidates nominated by Barisan to contest in the coming general election would be decided by the Prime Minister himself. "As such, it is pointless to speculate, instead all Barisan component parties must continue servicing the voters in their respective constituencies to regain the people's support and trust," he said. Chuah said MCA would give its full support to any candidate nominated by the central leadership. He also reminded all party members to work closely and co-operate with other component party members during campaigning to secure a higher majority for all Barisan's candidates. |
| Dr Wee: Only BN will provide stability Posted: 20 Mar 2013 04:21 PM PDT YONG PENG: Malaysians of different faiths have been practicing their religion freely since the country's independence and it is only possible through the Barisan Nasional government, said Ayer Hitam MP Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong. He said Barisan's policies always emphasise on stability and ensure all Malaysians, regardless of their religion and backgrounds living together in peace and harmony. "Malaysia under the Barisan government never limit non-Muslims from practicing their faiths or force them to believe in certain values. "In some states, people are stopped from their rights such as entertainments and concerts. "In the multi-racial society, our culture as well as way of life must be respected," he said after attending a religious event at Sri Maha Karumariamman in Ladang A1 here. Dr Wee, who is Deputy Education Minister, said Yong Peng has small number of Indian voters, about 1,400 people, but their rights should not be neglected. He said the government did not forget the needs of the Indian community especially in the welfare aspect. |
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