Malay cultural village to be set up in Danga Bay by 2014

Pretty blooms: Abdul Ghani and his wife Datin Paduka Prof Dr Jamilah Ariffin visiting an orchid exhibition after the ground-breaking ceremony for the Malay cultural village in Danga Bay. — Bernama

JOHOR BARU: A Malay cultural village depicting life-sized, traditional Johor houses will be set up in Danga Bay here by 2014.

Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman launched the ground-breaking ceremony for the village here yesterday, which will be called “Limaspuri Melayu Johor”. “The houses will be built on seven acres of land and will incorporate traditional designs from 10 districts in the state,” he said.

He added that in addition to being a show village, visitors would also be able to view traditional dances and indulge in delicious local food. “The village will also offer classes to those who want to learn traditional dance, silat or traditional massage techniques,” he said.

Abdul Ghani added that to give it an authentic feel, the village would be planted with local fruit trees, herbs and flowering plants that are usually seen in a Malay kampung. “With the rapid development in Iskandar Malaysia, we want to ensure that the traditional way of life is still preserved for the younger generation,” he said.

He added that various authorities, including officials from the Economic Planning Unit, the state Tourism Department, Yayasan Warisan Johor and the Malaysia Timber Industry Board, had been roped in to help out.

-thestar online.

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