Seri Melaka, built by the Dutch, was the official residence
and office of the Dutch Governor of Melaka when the Dutch ruled Melaka during
the 17th Century. It is located on top of St. Paul's Hill, next to the ruins of
St. Paul's Church. During the period of British rule, the building continued to
serve as the residence and office of the British governor of Melaka.
After Malaya became independent, the venerable old building
added another feather to its cap by becoming the first residence of the first
governor of Melaka. It remained so until a new official residence and office
complex befitting the office of 'Governor of Melaka' was completed at Ayer
Keroh in September 1996. The location of the old residence and its limited
space was inadequate to meet the demands of the office in a fast developing
Melaka State.
The site of the old residence of the Governor of Melaka is
believed to be the site where the original palace of the Melaka Malay Sultanate
stood. According to references in the 'Hikayat Munshi Abdullah', the palace of
the Malay Sultan was known as 'Rumah Raja'.
After independence the residence of the governor was
officially referred to as 'Seri Melaka'. The title of 'Governor' was officially
changed to the Malay term of 'Tuan Yang Terutama Yang di-Pertua Negeri.
Governors of Melaka who have stayed in the old Seri Melaka
since independence are as follows:
Tun Leong Yew Koh (31 August 1957 - 30 August 1959)
Tun Hj. Abd. Malek bin Yusof (31 August 1959 - 30 August
1971)
Tun Hj. Abd. Aziz bin Hj. Abd. Majid ( 31 August 1971 - 18
May 1975)
Tun Syed Zahiruddin bin Syed Hassan (19 May 1975 - 3
December 1984)
Tun Datuk Seri Utama Syed Ahmad Al-Haj bin Syed Mahmud (4
December 1984 - September 1996)
To commemorate the important role that the office of
governor plays in the political, economical, social, political and
administrative life of the State, the Melaka State Government has gazetted the
old Seri Melaka as a historic building to be preserved for posterity. In it is
housed the official letter of appointment and other documents, artefacts and
exhibits as well as the personal collections of past and present governors.
The Daimler car bought in 1974 by the Melaka State
Government for His Excellency Tun Hj. Abdul Aziz bin Hj. Abdul Majid, the 3rd
Governor, His Excellency Tun Syed Zahiruddin bin Syed Hassan, the 4th Governor
and Tun Syed Ahmad Al-Haj bin Syed Mahmud Shahabudin, the 5th Governor. This
car was decommissioned in 1986 and was given to the Melaka Museums Corporation
in 1995.
This is the Governor office where the Governor manage matter
in relation to development, administration and the people (August
1957-September 1996).
The Dining Hall where Tun and Toh Puan entertain local and
foreign dignitaries. The Tun and Toh Puan also fete friends and government
officers after performing the friday prayers.
The official attire and medals of the TYT Yang di-Pertua
Negeri Melaka
The family area is where the Tun and his family spend their
quality time together. Despite his tight schedule, the Tun and Toh Puan made it
a point to spend some time with their family.
