Historic Malacca - Reviving Old Memories 3

One of the traditional Malay houses in Kampung Morten, Melaka.






Kampung Morten is the only traditional Malay village survived amidst the bustling city of Malacca. Thank God, the Malacca government realised this and revived the Malay village to become a tourist attraction. This was the kampung I used to visit where my friends, Zubaidah Abdul Rahman and Azhari Md. Alif lived. Azhari was a year senior to me in sixth form. His father, Cik Gu Md. Alif, was teaching in SITC, Tg. Malim with my father and our families became close friends. Since the village is on the river meander, there were always floods during rainy seasons. Many owners sold their houses to live somewhere else. Those who braved the floods year after year, now enjoyed the development and attention given to this small Malay village.



Another beautiful traditional Malay house in Kg. Morten, Melaka.









I remember, to go out from this village to town, the villagers have to pass at the back lane of rows of Chinese shops where tragedy occured on 13 May 1969. During the racial riots in Kuala Lumpur between the Chinese and the Malays, the Malays here were under attack by the Chinese even though they were familiar with the villagers. This was a lesson to be learned where trust cannot be taken for granted. Even close friends can betray you when they have their interest to protect.


As always, I am fascinated with traditional Malay heritage and am proud of it. The traditional Malay houses in Kg. Morten were given a facelift. The Malays are houseproud people and their houses are well-decorated, well-maintained and well-kept garden. Those houses facing the river were lighted up at night, making a glittering sight for the river cruises. I was not able to go for river cruise this time but will do it some time in future when I return to Malacca.


The river cruise boats.







For Those who are interested to stay at the homestay in Kg. Morten, you can contact Penghulu Hj. Rahim Hj. Alimat at 012-2290848 or go to Lorong 2, Jalan Tun Mamat, Kg Morten, Melaka. I have the opportunity to visit the homestay which is clean and cozy and met the caretaker Puan Juriah Ismail. The rate is around RM55 per person.


Visiting Kg. Morten is so delightful. There is no more flood now. The embankment has been raised to make way for safe river cruise. The traditional Malay houses are restored to their former glory. There is also a traditional muzeum which houses Malay heritage called Villa Sentosa - the Malay Living Muzeum. It is worth visiting.





Air Keroh is a fairly new township which has grown into a suburb of its own. Air Keroh did not exist in the 60s. It was jungle and unaccessible to people. Today it holds a number of attractions such as golf club, Botanical garden, the recreational lake, crocodile farm, the famous zoo etc. The Botanical Garden was superb and beautiful. It was beautifully landscaped. Rumour said the wife of the present Prime Minister criticised the landscape when she came for the opening. It was an unbecoming behaviour of a wife of the Head of the country. Just wish that she could keep her mouth shut if she is not qualified in landscaping. Must be as stupid as her husband! Positive remarks would be more helpful.



Botanical Garden Air Keroh.







Anyway, the Malacca government has done a good job in developing this Botanical Garden. I enjoyed the walk but the heat was a bit too much and Juriah and I went for shelter at the Book Village. Much to my surprise, this is a serene place. I hope more people, especially students, came to visit this place. It was so quiet and an ideal place to write, ponder and create. There is also chalets for rent and camping site. I really felt like I was somewhere in a national park surrounded by trees, plants, birds and insects. This is a place worth visiting and to stay a day or two. I might do just that one day. To get more information, you can call the Manager, En. Amiruddin, Tel 06-2519181 or email kampung_buku@yahoo.com.my


We didn't go to see the zoo but we drove around Air Keroh. I like the lake view. There are so many other places I have to see but time was short and I have to make a move to see the mini muzeum in Padang Temu.









On my way to visit my brother, Mahir, in Padang Temu, I used to see the sign which says Rumahku Muzeumku ( My Home My Muzeum) and wanted to see for myself. So the next stop was this particular mini muzeum. I was really amazed at the large collection of Malay antiques accumulated through 30 years by Tn. Hj. Nordin Bin Hj. Ali, the owner. The small wooden house is bursting at its seams with brasswares, furniture, Malay weapons, porcelains etc. It was a mind-boggling scene and I was tickled to see the old things that I used to use or see when I was young. The owner does not charge anything for entry but unfortunately some irresponsible and selfish visitors stole some items which are expensive and rare. Hj. Nordin and his wife were not able to keep watch of the activities of the visitors. I wonder what went into the mind of those who stole. Don't they have some guilt feeling? There was a bottle meant for donation but as usual people don't appreciate something free and take advantage of the situation. Hardly anyone donated as a token of appreciation, instead things were stolen. If you are interested to see, please call 06-286 8896 and refrain from pocketing the exhibits. Just appreciate the rich heritage and give generous contribution for him to upkeep the place. We need to cooperate in this so that we don't lose our rich heritage.











The garden of My Home Muzeum, decorated by antiques pot, batu giling.












Part of the garden decorated by antiques pots and batu gilings.












Hj. Nordin, the owner, a former antique dealer. He accumulated his treasures for 30 years but regeretted that some of his visitors stole his valuable collections.












The traditional bridal chamber of the Chinese Straits born - the Baba and the Nyonya.




Some of his collections in the mini muzeum of Hj. Nordin.







My next visit was to St. John's Hill which I have not seen since I left school in 1960s.I am glad to see that it is kept and maintained well with information.

















The cannons at St. John's Hill.

We stopped at the Portuguese Settlement but I think it's a waste of time. There wasn't anything that show traditional Portuguese, unlike years ago. The houses have turned modern and it is just an ordinary village - no significant attraction. There is a Lisbon Hotel built there, so why bother to go and see everyday things that you can find just anywhere? What's there to see and what's there to be proud of? Maybe it's ok on Saturday night when they have Portuguese dance show. All the promotion about Portuguese culture is not so great after all.

We drove to Duyong to see the legendary Hang Tuah Well. The story goes that Hang Tuah himself dug the well and the water never dries up even in severe draught. The water is clear and cool and believed to have healing properties. There is a traditional Malay house there offering traditional massage.
















The traditional Malay house offering traditional Malay massage.



It was quite a tiring day and I was ready to go home to PD but there is one stop I must make. My father's and my oldest brother's graves are situated next to Hang Tuah's Mousoleum in Tanjung Keling. While on my way there, I can't stop but admire the traditional Malay houses that have become tourist attraction and posters for advertisement. These are the traditional Malay house in Lereh, about 2 km from Tg. Keling. Look at the front yard. As I explained in my blog My Adolescence, the front yard is covered with clean white sands bordered with flowers and plants which become the pride of the family. This is what I like about Tg. Kling Malay house. My dream was to have one like this by the river but it was not to be, but a dream.





The traditional Tg. Kling Malay house.








I drove past the mosque in Tg. Kling. This is one of the oldest mosques in Malacca. Pay attention to the design of the roof and the tower. Many new mosques have taken this Chinese influence design, for example the State Mosque, Al 'Azim and the Pengkalan Rama mosque, Fat'hur Rahman, and it has become the Malacca state identity.







The old Tg. Kling mosque.












The Malacca State Mosque, Al'Azim.















The tower of Masjid Fat'hur Rahman at Pengkalan Rama, Melaka.










The roof of Fat'hur Rahman mosque at Pengkalan Rama, Melaka.












The entrace to Hang Tuah Mousoleum in Tg. Keling.

I stopped to pay respect at my father's and brother's graves with Alfatihah and Al-ikhlas, cleaned the area and then visited Hang Tuah's Mousoleum in the same compound. Hang Tuah was the legendary Malay warrior during the golden age of Malacca Sultanate. There were many stories weaved around this worrior and his 4 close friends - Hang Jebat, Hang Kasturi, Hang Lekir and Hang Lekiu.

At Hang Tuah Mousoleum, Tg. Kling, Malacca

My day ended with a drive back to Port Dickson through Pantai Kundor and the highway, tired, satisfied and happy that I have fulfilled my goal.

See you again my lovely Malacca.