Ng: Malacca heritage and tourism sites will not be harmed by development

MALACCA: Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen has assured that Malacca will not be developed to the extent of harming its heritage and tourism sites. She said the ministry maintained its stand on preserving, conserving and protecting its tourism sites while striking a balance between development and heritage conservation. “We know that by preserving and conserving our heritage, it will bring us more benefit,” she told reporters after a Malacca River cruise ride and a brief riverside walk with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam at Kampung Morten on Friday night.

Ng was responding to concerns that over-development especially around the heritage areas in the city could affect the state’s unique charm and heritage. Citing the Malacca River as an example, she said over-development was not the case there as the state was only cleaning and beautifying its surroundings. “We just cleaned up the river. We didn’t build anything along the riverside,” she said. She added that for any tourism project to succeed, the people’s mindset and their cooperation was equally crucial.

“Think tourism, act tourism. It takes the entire community’s cooperation to make tourism work.” Earlier, at the Malacca Hokkien Association’s 209th anniversary dinner, Ng said the state was one of the most important contributors to the national economy.

-thestar online.