Melaka proud: People walking past the mural along the wall of the Melaka Tengah Police Station on Saturday night. The mural is 80.19m long and 3.34m high. — Bernama
MELAKA: Seventy premises along Sungai Melaka near Banda Hilir here will be repainted to beautify and brighten the scenery in the area in conjunction with the Visit Melaka Year 2024 (VMY2024).
Melaka Historic City Council (MBMB) Mayor Datuk Shadan Othman said repainting parts of the buildings facing Sungai Melaka would cost over RM100,000 and was expected to be completed by the end of this month.
He said most of the buildings were old and not properly maintained, which required physical transformation to give them a facelift and an added attraction, especially to visitors taking the Melaka River Cruise along Sungai Melaka.
“We faced some constraints in carrying out this repainting initiative as we had to find and contact the owners of the premises because most of them have been rented out ... some owners allowed (us to repaint) while others didn’t.
“However, we are trying to discuss with the owners involved to get their approval and we managed to get a paint company to contribute the paint,” he told reporters after the launch of the Police Evolution Mural on the wall of the Melaka Tengah Police Station in Jalan Mahkamah here on Saturday night, in conjunction with VMY2024, Bernama reported.
Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh officiated the launch of the 80.19m long and 3.34m high mural, which is based on the changes in the police force over the years.
Meanwhile, about 15,000 visitors are expected to be at Dataran Pengkalan Rama on Dec 31 to welcome the new year and the start of VMY2024.
Ab Rauf said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was scheduled to launch VMY 2024.
He said various interesting activities such as fireworks display, art and cultural performances, and performances by well-known local artistes had been drawn up for the event.
Ab Rauf said he was happy with the preparations for the two events.
“I notice that the cruise boats at the Melaka River have been given a new look with different sponsors who advertise their products and services.
“Overall, I see preparations for the celebration of the two events have reached 50%,” he said.
Ab Rauf said two art and cultural groups from Guangxi province, China, would also be performing at the launch of the VMY2024.
“It is to symbolise the relationship between Melaka and China that has been established since the era of the Melaka Sultanate,” he said.
He said that during his working visit to Guangxi province last week, he had discussed the technical matters for a live broadcast of the launching of VMY 2024 to the province.
