BY R.S.N.MURALI
Idris looking at the proposed TM50 plan which will see Jalan Hang Tuah being transformed.
MALACCA: The Malacca Government is trying to get in touch with the owners of Nam Hoe Villa in Klebang here in order for the Malacca Heritage Conservative Committee to decide on the fate of the historical site.
State Transport, Project Rehabilitation and International Trade Committee chairman Datuk Lim Ban Hong said the input of the owners who are currently overseas was needed to see how the government could help preserve the pre-Merdeka structure.
“The property is privately owned and the government just cannot order demolition work without the consent of the owners.
“We need the owner to meet the committee and outline his or her plan for the building and we will do our part to preserve it,” he said when contacted on Wednesday.
Earlier, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron said he has asked MBMB to ensure the facade of Nam Hoe Villa is conserved even if there is any future request to redevelop the site.
“MBMB has been directed not to approve submission of plans to totally tear down the structure even if the owners wished to do so,” he said after chairing an exco meeting.
Idris said he has also suggested for other colonial buildings in the state not to be demolished if the owners want to develop their premises into commercial sites.
“I have asked MBMB to look into proposing to the owners to convert their pre-war buildings into boutique hotels to create an ambience of yesteryear and which will appeal to global history lovers.
“There are such hotels in Europe where age-old structures have been turned into places to be enjoyed by travellers,” he said.
He said the same could be done for Nam Hoe Villa where it could be turned into an interesting building for tourists.
The Nam Hoe Villa was opened in 1927 by Loh Kim Swi and was then taken over by another Peranakan community leader, Tay Boon Seng, in the 1950s.
First prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj held post Merdeka meetings here between Chinese community leaders, including MCA founder Tun Tan Cheng Lock, when he visited Malacca.
The villa was turned into a popular Peranakan restaurant in the 1970s before being abandoned in 1995.
Meanwhile, Idris announced that the old quarters of Jalan Hang Tuah here would be getting a facelift with a huge development fund under the Malacca Transformation Plan 2050 (TM50).
He said the government would focus on the development of Hang Tuah Commercial Centre for over a time frame of 30 years.
He said the new growth area would cover a vast area, from Jalan Hang Tuah, Jalan Tun Ali, Pengkalan Rama, Kampung Morten to Melaka Sentral bus terminal.
“At the state executive council meeting, it was agreed to develop the commercial centre along Jalan Hang Tuah in a move to balance reclaimed land and inland development in the state,” he said.
Idris said the focus of the inland development was to raise the socio-economic status of the people in the area.
“The area will also focus on academic development, with more education hubs being opened at Jalan Hang Tuah,” he said.
Presently, Universiti Teknologi Mara and Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Malacca have their campuses along the street.
Idris said that developmental projects over 40.5ha will give a fresh outlook to the area which is now known as a red light area.
He added that the historical Dewan Hang Tuah Hall will also be reconstructed as the state administration building, with Malacca’s legislative assembly moved out from Ayer Keroh by 2050.
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