Ronda-Ronda: Middleburg Bastion

Middleburg Bastion is a section or a partial of A Famosa, located beside Malacca River Bank. Actually it was build by the Portuguese until the Dutch later added a structure which they named "Middleburg".

Efforts to enhance Malacca’s city status as a Unesco World Heritage Site will get a boost this April 3 following the opening of two restored historical landmarks here by the National Heritage Department.

After almost four years of painstaking archeological work and research, the Information, Communications, Culture and Arts Ministry will officially open the restored section of the 16th Century Portuguese A Famosa Fort wall and the 17th Century Dutch era Middleburg Bastion next to the Malacca River.

The restored historical landmark was viewed as part of the government’s preservation and conservation effort to protect its heritage. The Middleburg Bastion has the potential of becoming a tourist’s attraction. At the same time, it showcases the state’s effort to preserve and conserve the ruins that have been restored. RM4.5mil was used to carry the archeological work and research on the ruins before it was restored to its present state.

The ruins of the fort wall and the Middleburg Bastion were discovered by chance in late 2006 following plans by the state to develop the Taming Sari revolving viewing tower next to the river.

A stop work order was issued by the National Heritage Department with subsequent archeological dig and research confirming the ruins were part of the ancient fort. The 1.5km fortress wall encircled the city was built by the Portuguese in the mid 1500s with Middleburg Bastion and Frederick Hendrick Bastion added by the Dutch in the 1600s.

Ronda-Ronda: Kampung Hulu Mosque

Built in 1728, Kampung Hulu Mosque is the oldest functioning mosque in Malaysia in its original location, at the corner of Jalan Masjid Kampung Hulu and Jalan Masjid in the old commercial district, now dominated by Chinese shop-houses.

Commissioned by the Dutch during their colonial occupation, the mosque was a result of a new policy of religious pluralism. Their colonial predecessors, the Portuguese, had destroyed all signs of non-Christian establishments upon their occupation in 1511.

This included the tearing down of Malacca's first mosque, which had reputedly stood across from where the Stadhuys, the 1650s Dutch town hall that also served as the offices of the Dutch East India Company stands today. The Dutch assigned coordinating "Kapitans" to head the local populations in the reconstruction of their places of worship. Dato Samsuddin Bin Arom, or Dato Shamsudin, was commissioned to build the Masjid Kampung Hulu. It was later renovated by Wazir Al Sheikh Omar bin Hussain Al-Attas.

Partly due to the Dutch encouragement of cultural cross-pollination, the style of the mosque is reflective of a Javanese mosque. The regionally characteristic roof consists of three ascending layers of flared pyramidal roofs, separated by gaps to allow direct air and light into the building. These tiers are held aloft by four great columns in the center extending to outer columns for the lower, wider roofs.

The centralized vertical hierarchy lends the structure to a square plan only disrupted by a small section of the porch area of the iwan, which juts from the front of the mosque. Masjid Kampung Hulu does not employ the Javanese tradition of using timber as the material for the walls, and instead engages stone and brick. The mosque is similarly unique in its elevation from the ground on a low stone perimeter wall.

Like other Malaccan mosques, Chinese ornamentation is revealed in the Masjid Kampung Hulu, including the crown like pinnacle surmounting the roofs and the curved eaves. It further incorporates materials imported from the Chinese Qing Empire, such as ceramic roof and floor tiles. Masjid Kampong Hulu further asserts its distinctiveness in its use of carved sea stones lining the inside of the dome.

Its stone minaret is also distinctly Malaccan in its adherence to a pagoda-form. The Tranquerah mosque was built in Malacca in the same year.

Ronda-Ronda: Christ Church

Christ Church is an 18th century Protestant church in the city of Malacca, Malaysia. It is the oldest functioning Protestant church in Malaysia and is within the jurisdiction of the Lower Central Archdeaconry of the Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia.

The Dutch conquest of Malacca from the Portuguese Empire in 1641 saw the proscription of Roman Catholicism and the conversion of existing churches to Dutch Reformed use. The old St. Paul's Church at the summit of St. Paul Hill was renamed the Bovenkerk (High Church) and used as the main parish church of the Dutch community.

In 1741, in commemoration of the centenary of the capture of Malacca from the Portuguese, the Dutch burgher community decided to build a new church to replace the aging Bovenkerk. 

The foundation stone was laid by the Malacca born Captain of the Malacca Burghers, Abraham de Wind, on behalf of his father, Claas de Wind, a prominent Burgher who had been the Secunde (Deputy Governor) of Malacca. 

The church was completed 12 years later in 1753 and replaced the Bovenkerk as the primary Dutch Reformed Church in Dutch Malacca.

With the signing of the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824, possession of Malacca was transferred to the British East India Company and in 1838, the church was re-consecrated with the rites of the Church of England by the Rt. Rev. Daniel Wilson, the Anglican Bishop of Calcutta and renamed Christ Church. The maintenance of the church was taken over by the Government of the Straits Settlements in 1858.

Originally painted white, the church and the neighbouring Stadthuys building was painted red in 1911 and this distinctive colour scheme has remained the hallmark of Malacca's Dutch-era buildings since.

The church is built in Dutch Colonial architecture style and is laid out in a simple rectangle of 82 feet (25 m) by 42 feet (13 m). The ceiling rises to 40 feet (12 m) and is spanned by wooden beams, each carved from a single tree. The roof is covered with Dutch tiles and the walls were raised using Dutch bricks built on local laterite blocks then coated with Chinese plaster. The floors of the church are paved with granite blocks originally used as ballast for merchant ships.

The original Dutch windows were reduced and ornamented after the British takeover of Malacca and the porch and vestry were built only in the mid-19th century.

Ronda-Ronda: Bastion House

Bastion House is a heritage building that houses the Malay World Islamic World Museum or Muzium Dunia Melayu Dunia Islam (DMDI). It was constructed in 1910 by the British rubber company, Dunlop. 

The building is located along Jalan Kota, formerly Fort Road. Dunlop occupied Bastion House until 1986, when Bastion House was used as the premises of a bank. It was probably named Bastion House because it is located in the vicinity of one of the bastions of Fortaleza de Malaca, or the Malacca Fort.

Ronda-Ronda: St. John's Fort

St. John's Fort, once a private Portuguese chapel dedicated to St. John the Baptist, lies a t the top of St. John's Hill, 3km from the Melaka Town. The hill also called as Bukit Senjuang among local people and Portuguese community in Melaka (Kristang Language).

The fort was constructed by the Dutch during the 3rd quarter of the 18th century. One interesting feature about the fort is that the gun embrasures face inland instead of towards the sea. This is dued to the attacks on Melaka at that time mainly came from the hinterland.

Today, all that remains are a few walls and cannon emplacements. However, there are magnificent await you at the hilltop.

Ronda-Ronda: Hang Tuah's Well

The Hang Tuah's Well or Perigi Hang Tuah is located at Kampung Duyong, his birth place. From Melaka Town, it takes about 20 minutes drive. 

According to Melaka legend and folklore, it is believed that a white crocodile (the Kramat of Hang Tuah) dwells in this well and those who are able to see the spirit (Kramat) will be bestowed with good luck.

After he had passed away, it is said that the well has become the dwelling of his spirit, which took on the form of a white crocodile. It is also believed that the albino crocodile cannot be seen by just anyone; only the holy and the pure-hearted ever get the opportunity to catch a glimpse of it.

Another mystical aspect to the Hang Tuah well is that its water remains clear even after all these years, which is said to never dry up, even during long periods of drought. The locals believe that the well’s water contains special healing properties, able to cure all sorts of ailments. It was also said that the well used to be much smaller in size originally, and that it had grown over time.

Hang Tuah was one of the greatest hero in Malay history and served as an Admiral or Laksamana during the reign of the Malacca Sultanate in the middle of the 15th century. 

He was very strong and intelligent and was determined to serve the Malacca Sultanate Court.

His close friends were Hang Jebat, Hang Kasturi, Hang Lekir and Hang Lekiu and he was akcnowledged as the leader of the group. 

The 5 warriors were made warriors in the court when they saved the life of Bendahara Paduka Raja, the Prime Minister to Sultan Mansur Shah. 

Hang Tuah became a favourite warrior of the Sultan as he was responsible for bringing about the marriage of Sultan Mansur Shah with the daughter of Betara Majapahit. 

Among the outstanding feats of Hang Tuah were the duel he had with Taming Sari, a warrior of the Court of Majapahit.

Ronda-Ronda: Portuguese Well

The Portuguese Well is located at Kampung Pengkalan Samak near Tun Teja's Mausoleum and Merlimau Traditional House or also known as 'Rumah Penghulu Nattar'. 

It's just around 5 minutes drive from Merlimau town and 15 minutes drive from Sungai Rambai.

This well was dug by the Portuguese soldiers during their 130 years rule in Melaka. Sultan Mahmud Syah fled to Muar after the fallen of Melaka Empire. 

He often invaded the Portuguese in order to regain Melaka. The soldiers were stationed there to protect Merlimau from enemy's attack who came from Muar.

This historic well is not very far from Tun Teja's Mausoleum, but visitors often skip it due to poor publicity. The surrounding of Portuguese Well is well maintained and linked with tarred road now, so if you are planning to come to Melaka via Muar road, lets pay a visit here.

The location of the well is quite remote. You might see cows along the road to and palm oil trees. The government should do something to preserve the site and promote as a tourist attraction.

Ronda-Ronda: Taman Rekreasi Sungai Rambai

Medan Selera

Taman Rekreasi Sungai Rambai menjadi tumpuan untuk warga DUN Sungai Rambai dan kawasan sekitar untuk berekreasi. Didirikan sejak lebih 10 tahun lalu, Taman Rekreasi Sungai Rambai banyak melalui perubahan dan pembangunan. Taman Rekreasi Sungai Rambai Terletak betul-betul di sempadan Daerah Ledang dan Daerah Jasin. 

Dilengkapi dengan pelbagai kemudahan awam dan fasiliti seperti taman permainan, trek jogging, pentas, tandas awam. medan selera, wakaf, tempat letak kereta dan sebagainya, Taman Rekreasi Sungai Rambai tidak putus-putus dikunjungi oleh penduduk di sini untuk beriadah dan menjamu selera.

Selain terkenal dengan budaya dan cara hidup masyarakat Jawa Melaka, Sungai Rambai juga terkenal dengan kelazatan makanan seperti Roti John, Mee Hailam, Mee Bandung dan lain-lain. Keenakan makanan di medan selera Sungai Rambai turut menarik pengunjung-pengunjung dari sekitar Melaka, Johor dan lain-loain yang melalui jalan lama Muar - Melaka.

Pentas

Taman Rekreasi Sungai Rambai turut menjadi pusat kegiatan setempat seperti rekreasi, pertandingan kayak, marhaban, nasyid, koir dan lain-lain. Dengan terbinanya pentas di tebing Sungai Kesang dan gelanggang futsal di kawasan berdekatan, masyarakat tempatan sedikit sebanyak dapat meluangkan masa senggang mereka di sini.

Tugu atau signboard? Terdapat sedikit kekeliruan identiti di sini. Mungkin tugu kot.

Dahulunya Taman Rekreasi Sungai Rambai turut dikenali sebagai Taman Buaya. Riqq pun tidak pasti tentang nama ini. Taman Rekreasi ini dahulunya dikatakan ada menempatkan beberapa ekor buaya sebagai tarikan pengunjung namun tidak lama kemudian telah dipindahkan ke Taman Buaya Ayer Keroh. Kesahihan fakta ini boleh diragui kerana pada waktu itu Riqq belum dilahirkan. 

Keadaan papan tanda yang tidak memuaskan hati jika dipandang...urgh, ade kulat ke apa tu?? Bengkek!

Selain untuk tujuan rekreasi dan sukan, Taman Rekreasi Sungai Rambai juga menjadi tempat keraian untuk sambutan Ambang Merdeka dan Ambang Tahun Baru setiap tahun. Sambutan meriah secara kecil-kecilan disertai persembahan tarian, Dondang Sayang dan sebagainya sedikit sebanyak dapat menjadikan Taman Rekreasi Sungai Rambai satu kawasan ataupun pusat tumpuan bagi masyarakat di disini.

Selamat Datang ke Majlis Perbandaran Jasin? Bila masa ada bangunan MPJ di sini? Jika nak buat ayat sebegini, tulislah Selamat Datang ke Kawasan Tadbiran Majlis Perbandaran Jasin! Ayat yang sepatutnya, Selamat Datang ke DUN Sungai Rambai, Majlis Perbandaran Jasin. 

Hujung minggu lepas Riqq berkesempatan untuk mengunjungi Taman Rekreasi Sungai Rambai untuk melihat keadaan di sana namun berasa sedikit hampa dengan Majlis Daerah Jasin Kerana sudah terlalu lama tidak menukar papan tanda 'Selamat Datang ke Melaka' pada pintu gerbang kereta lembu Sungai Rambai Tersebut.

Landskap yang sama berpuluh-puluh tahun yang lalu tanpa sebarang perubahan, walhal nurseri Zali Garden hanya di seberang jalan

Jika diperhatikan, keadaan papan tanda tersebut sudah tidak memuaskan dengan kekotoran dan tulisan yang tidak cantik dipandang walhal ramai pemimpin dan menteri datang ke sini untuk meninjau. Apa yang berlaku pada Majlis Daerah Jasin? Mengapa tidak menaik taraf pintu gerbang tersebut setelah sekian lama telah digunakan?

Rumputnya dah lebih tinggi dari pokok, buat pasu sebegini memang sukar untuk diselenggarakan.

Selain itu, keadaan landskap disini turut menyedihkan. Pokok-pokok bunga kelihatan tidak berbaja dan dipangkas elok. Rumput-rampai memenuhi pasu dan papan tanda Sungai Kesang juga hampir jatuh. Tambah menyedihakan, keadaan dan fasiliti Taman Rekreasi ini sepatutnya setanding dengan Taman Rempah di Melaka Tengah. Jika MBMB dan MPHTJ mampu membina landskap yang indah dan terjaga mengapa tidak MPJ?

Sempadan Daerah Ledang

Adakah kawasan tadbiran MPJ terlalu besar sehingga tidak dapat menyelenggara DUN-DUN yang berada di pinggiran? Jika keadaan ini terus berlaku, banyaklah DUN-DUN lain yang berpotensi untuk dimajukan akan ketinggalan dan dipandang sepi. Tindakan segera harus diamabil bagi mengatasi masalah ini kerana masyarakat tidak putus-putus merungut.

Riqq bukannya ingin menyalahkan pihak MPJ namun mereka seharusnya memikirkan cara bagaimana untuk memajukan industri pelancongan di Daerah Jasin ini kerana Daerah Jasin adalah yang paling corot dalam hal pelancongan sedangkan jika dilihat banyak tarikan pelancongan seperti homestay, rumah-rumah tradisional, sebuah muzium (sedangkan di daerah lain memiliki berpuluh-puluh muzium dan galeri), hutan rekreasi, taman rekreasi dan sebagainya.

Mungkin sudah tiba masanya MPJ bangkit dan sedar dari lamunan dan mimpi. Kita sudah jauh ketinggalan daripada daerah-daerah lain. Peruntukan yang adil untuk setiap DUN serta pemantauan daripada pihak MPJ amat dihargai. Jika susah-susah, sila lepaskan DUN-DUN di Jasin Pantai ini dariapa tadbiran MPJ. 

Beberapa tahun yang lepas Riqq ada terdengar ura-ura pembentukan Daerah Merlimau yang meliputi kawasan-kawasan Jasin Pantai namun tiba-tiba MPHTJ pula yang terbentuk. MPJ, fikir-fikirkanlah untuk kemajuan Melaka dan daerah-daerah lain. Bukan hanya sekadar melepaskan batuk ditangga sahaja. 

Jadi bagi anda yang melaui jalan lama Muar - Melaka, jom datang berkunjung ke Taman Rekreasi Sungai Rambai. Jangan lupa mencuba keenakan Roti John di sini!