MELAKA: The security level at St Paul’s Church, the oldest church building in South-East Asia, in Bandar Hilir here will be stepped up, says the Melaka Museum Board (Perzim).
Board chairman Datuk Akramuddin Abdul Aziz said his team will work closely with the Melaka Historic City Council (MBMB) to assign more enforcement officers to the hilltop historical icon to safeguard its relics and surroundings.
“We are finding new approaches to preserve all our historical sites including organising campaigns to create awareness on their preservation.
“We need to look into various approaches to stop vandalism at St Paul's Hill and other similar sites apart from just installing closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras,” he said after visiting the site on Tuesday (May 2).
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Akramuddin also stressed that those caught vandalising historical sites could face action under the National Heritage Act 2005 (Act 645) which carries a jail term of up to five years or a maximum fine of RM50,000, or both, upon conviction.
The visit was made following allegations of vandalism at the hilltop on Monday (May 1).
Vendors at the hilltop historical icon said the vandals squirted ink and other substances on the wall of the ruins.
Save The Portuguese Action Committee chairman Martin Theseira said a heritage preservation group, comprising all communities in the state as well as historians, should be set up.
He said such a group would bolster the preservation of heritage sites in the state and ensure their history remained intact.
“We are willing to work with Perzim to safeguard our historic elements while giving tourism value to the state,” he added.
