Malaysia's Melaka State To Develop Jawa, Bugis Villages As New Tourism Product

MELAKA, March 18 (Bernama) -- The Melaka Government is mulling over developing the Jawa and Bugis villages as a new tourism product, says state tourism, development of river, beach and island committee deputy exco Ghazale Muhamad. He said the state government had allocated RM20 million (US$5.39 million) for each village development project and it was drafted as one of its proposals in the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP). "The state government has applied for the allocation from the federal government under the 11MP to develop the Jawa village in the Ayer Molek constituency and Bugis village in Sungai Rambai constituency," he told Bernama here Wednesday. Ghazale said the new product was expected to boost the tourism sector and at the same time, provide exposure to tourists on the history and tradition of the Jawa and Bugis people. The 11MP, which will start next year is Malaysia's five-year plan to develop the country, particularly in economy and people's socio-economic aspect. Meanwhile, Ghazale said Melaka would reap an economic spillover, especially in the tourism sector, should the state be choosen to be one of the destinations in the 21st Century Maritime Silk Route, as was being undertaken by China. Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai was reported as saying the Chinese Government had welcomed the Melaka Government's proposal to build an international port to strengthen economic cooperation between Malaysia and China. -- BERNAMA