BY R.S.N.MURALI

Klebang is becoming a modern township with the mushrooming of modern homes and shophouses near the beachfront.

Rapid development, including plans for a theme park, set to transform quiet Klebang into Malacca’s new growth area

The sleepy hollow of Klebang is set to become the newest commercial hub in the state.

A 10-minute drive from the business centre of Taman Melaka Raya, Klebang used to be known for its many colonial-style bungalows and housing estates.

It is also a hive of activity on weekends, thanks to the abundance of picturesque coconut trees that dot the Klebang beachfront.

Klebang is now poised to take its place as a major waterfront city similar to the Gold Coast in Brisbane, Australia and Florida, United States if the proposed theme park at the 1Malaysia beachfront here materialises.

The theme park touted to be the first of its kind in Asia, occupies part of the 132ha Klebang’s Seaworld project.

The submarine donated by the Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) is on display at the Maritime and Aviation Museum.

The park which was proposed in 2013, is seen as a catalyst for the local tourism industry as it combines elements of education, thrills, and state-of-the-art technology.

Malacca Historic City Council (MBMB) special officer Mohd Yusof Abu Hassan said one of the main factors for Klebang’s rapid growth is its proximity to Taman Kota Laksamana.

The state government has also given the nod for entertainment outlets and wellness centres providing massage and other health therapies to operate in Taman Kota Laksamana.

“This is in line with the Malacca government’s move to encourage entertainment-centric tourism.

“Previously, many massage parlours were only permitted to operate at Taman Melaka Raya but some were conducting unsavoury activities,” he said.

MBMB decided to relax the conditions for massage parlours licences in Taman Kota Laksamana to encourage tourism and economic growth in the area.

Klebang is now poised to become a major waterfront city. — Photos: a. malex yahaya/The Star

Klebang is also known for its unique accommodation where decommissioned buses have been turned into housing units.

Known as bustels, a combination of the words bus and hotel, these buses were taken off Malacca roads when the state government decided to convert all local bus services to a modern fleet.

The buses were then refurbished with beds and equipped with bathrooms and other facilities.

There are now 16 bustels with 32 fully air-conditioned rooms.

Additional bustels have been turned into restaurants and souvenir shops.

Malacca Museum Corporation (Perzim) general manager Datuk Khamis Abas said the Maritime and Aviation Museum will be the crown jewel of Klebang.

He revealed that two fighter jets – a McD-Douglas Skyhawk and F5E Northrop Tiger – will be the latest attractions at the museum that is expected to open by the end of this year.

“The decommissioned fighter jets were donated by the Royal Malaysian Air Force (TUDM ) to the Malacca government a couple of years ago.

“The two jets were a gift from TUDM to educate the public on its role of defending the nation between 1970 and the 1990s,” he said.

Perzim agreed that the two aircraft be moved to Klebang here.

The new Maritime and Aviation Museum will have its own facilities including eateries.

A submarine donated by the Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) will also be repainted.

The French Ouessant (S623) was used by the French Navy until 2001 before becoming a training vessel for TLDM.

There is also talk that the current aviation museum, which is now located at the Sungai Besi airbase in Kuala Lumpur, would be moved to Klebang.