October 5, 2011 at 2:00 pm
A lot of people like to say that without the past, there can be no present. Unfortunately, man is the sort of creature that is apt to forget, otherwise there would not be the adage, out of sight, out of mind. But, of course, we all will agree that it is always better late than never.
Those three sayings sum up a recent article that touched on improvements at a historical tourist site in Malacca, St John’s Hill. No one would dispute the fact that St John’s Hill has been neglected for years, although politicians might have a field day debating the reasons behind the neglect. Most of the time, historical sites like St John’s Hill have been merely footnotes in tourist brochures, adorned with a picture or two. It is commendable to see that the state government is finally taking a closer look at this historical site and investing effort and resources into improving it in order to attract tourists.
I have met my fair share of tourists, and I have noticed some who express ZERO interest in anything historical. The individual I spoke to was pretty blunt, saying that in his opinion, only history buffs are interested in historical things. His implication was that history belonged in the past, and most tourists are firmly rooted in the present.
Though St John's Hill in Malacca is an important historical site, it does not receive as many tourists compared to St Paul's Hill
Which leads me to my question. How many tourists ARE actually interested in a minor historical site like St John’s Hill? Is that tourist right in his assumption?
What do YOU think?
Read the article below:
After years of neglect, the St John’s Hill in Bandar Hilir is expected to have a new “look” three months from now with new facilities being built at the historical site by the state government.
State Housing, Local Government and Environment committee chairman Datuk Mohd Yunos Husin said the site had been adequately lit and there would be five CCTVs at the fort.
The state government initiated measures to protect its historical sites following the theft of wheels from the ancient Portuguese cannons on top of St John’s Hill in June.
“The move to have CCTVs at the site is also to discourage courting couples from turning the site into their love nest,” he said after launching a paintwork project at the site yesterday.
The project to repaint dozens of historical and heritage sites was launched at the hilltop following a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the state government and ICI Paints (M) Sdn Bhd on Dec 30, 2009.
Mohd Yunos said an arch would be built at the entrance of the hilltop by preserving the design of the original structure built by the Dutch. “We will emulate the design through the sketches recorded in archived materials.”
He said an information counter would be made available with guided tours being organised.
“We want to give attention to it so the site will draw more tourists.” Mohd Yunos added that the state government was getting another set of solid cast iron wheels to replace the stolen ones.
Twenty solid cast iron wheels that supported five ancient Portuguese cannons on top of the hill were stolen in June.
He said the security at historical sites, especially at the World Heri- tage Zone, would be beefed up by hiring guards.
The theft at St John’s Hill was the second incident involving state artefacts.
In March 2008, eight Malay keris and three Dutch-era pistols were stolen from the Malacca Ethnography Museum.
Source: The Star
Improving Historical Sites
October 5, 2011 at 2:00 pm
A lot of people like to say that without the past, there can be no present. Unfortunately, man is the sort of creature that is apt to forget, otherwise there would not be the adage, out of sight, out of mind. But, of course, we all will agree that it is always better late than never.
Those three sayings sum up a recent article that touched on improvements at a historical tourist site in Malacca, St John’s Hill. No one would dispute the fact that St John’s Hill has been neglected for years, although politicians might have a field day debating the reasons behind the neglect. Most of the time, historical sites like St John’s Hill have been merely footnotes in tourist brochures, adorned with a picture or two. It is commendable to see that the state government is finally taking a closer look at this historical site and investing effort and resources into improving it in order to attract tourists.
I have met my fair share of tourists, and I have noticed some who express ZERO interest in anything historical. The individual I spoke to was pretty blunt, saying that in his opinion, only history buffs are interested in historical things. His implication was that history belonged in the past, and most tourists are firmly rooted in the present.
Though St John's Hill in Malacca is an important historical site, it does not receive as many tourists compared to St Paul's Hill
Which leads me to my question. How many tourists ARE actually interested in a minor historical site like St John’s Hill? Is that tourist right in his assumption?
What do YOU think?
Read the article below:
After years of neglect, the St John’s Hill in Bandar Hilir is expected to have a new “look” three months from now with new facilities being built at the historical site by the state government.
State Housing, Local Government and Environment committee chairman Datuk Mohd Yunos Husin said the site had been adequately lit and there would be five CCTVs at the fort.
The state government initiated measures to protect its historical sites following the theft of wheels from the ancient Portuguese cannons on top of St John’s Hill in June.
“The move to have CCTVs at the site is also to discourage courting couples from turning the site into their love nest,” he said after launching a paintwork project at the site yesterday.
The project to repaint dozens of historical and heritage sites was launched at the hilltop following a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the state government and ICI Paints (M) Sdn Bhd on Dec 30, 2009.
Mohd Yunos said an arch would be built at the entrance of the hilltop by preserving the design of the original structure built by the Dutch. “We will emulate the design through the sketches recorded in archived materials.”
He said an information counter would be made available with guided tours being organised.
“We want to give attention to it so the site will draw more tourists.” Mohd Yunos added that the state government was getting another set of solid cast iron wheels to replace the stolen ones.
Twenty solid cast iron wheels that supported five ancient Portuguese cannons on top of the hill were stolen in June.
He said the security at historical sites, especially at the World Heri- tage Zone, would be beefed up by hiring guards.
The theft at St John’s Hill was the second incident involving state artefacts.
In March 2008, eight Malay keris and three Dutch-era pistols were stolen from the Malacca Ethnography Museum.
Source: The Star
Tags: domestic tourism, Improvement of Tourism Sites in Malaysia, malacca, malaysia, St John's Hill, tourist attraction, tourist destination