MELAKA: The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry is committed to continue supporting the development and promotion of Melaka as one of Malaysia's prime tourist destinations.
Its Minister, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said attention would be given to showcasing Melaka’s unique arts, culture and heritage, tourism products and diversity of gastronomy as the main catalyst for the growth of the country’s tourism and cultural sectors.
He said this included the RM1mil allocated by the government in 2010 for the construction of the Jonker Walk World Heritage Park, which encompasses the Jonker Walk Main Stage and Jonker Walk Main Gate.
"In 2022, the ministry added a RM250,000 allocation to upgrade the Jonker Walk World Heritage Park, including repairing the main gate, roof, public toilets as well as replacing the floor tiles and signs.
"Uniquely, here we have two ‘stone lions’ presented by the Nanjing Municipal People's Government,” he said in a statement today after a one-day working visit to Melaka.
During the working visit, he toured agencies under the ministry, namely Hotel Seri Malaysia and Malaysia Handicraft Complex, which displays craft demonstrations, rattan weaving, batik making as well as a trip to the Karyaneka Sales Gallery.
He also visited major tourist locations like the Thousand Flower Garden, History and Ethnography Museum, Heritage Gallery and the Tourist Information Centre
Tiong also officiated the opening of the Melaka Jonker Walk World Heritage Park before ending his working visit by attending the launch of the Chinese New Year Carnival and a walkabout in Uptown Jonker Walk Melaka.
"It is my hope that such working visits will indirectly promote the tourist places in Melaka.
"We at the ministry want to help everyone involved in the ecosystem of tourism, arts and culture so that it continues to be strong and able to raise the standard of living,” he said. - Bernama
