Restoration of Malacca River - Value for Tourism Attraction

Ohayo gozaimasu, 

I would like to share an interesting construction that have value impact to the economic growth of my hometown's state Malacca. The view of Malacca River always have been  viewed  in my mind because a lot of my back school memories happened here because there were bus station located nearby that strategic as meet point to gather with my friend during free time.

The existing express bus station also have been witnessed a memorable days where I was dump by a girls during studying at Matriculation (hehehehe). 

Malacca  is the third smallest Malaysia state with covered area of 1,664 km2 (642 sq mi) which located in the southern of the Malay penisular

Once dubbed as “venice of the east” where the trader of East and West met due to strategic location with estuary to the opening into Malacca Straits.

The tourism industry is a major contributing to economic growth, attracting investment and providing employment to Malacca state.

Total tourist number recorded by end of 2011 reach 6.7 million people visited Melaka.
This historical city  of Malacca has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 7 July 2008.


Melaka river has played an important role during golden age of Malay Sultanate and during Portuguese  Dutch, English and Japan occupation

Sedimentation with mud and silt had slowed its flow and was no longer navigable.Smelly and polluted river due by human activities has been affected the landscape attraction of historical city of Malacca to the tourists.

The government of Malacca particularly had taken appropriate action in order to fix current situations. First it is important to know the classification of Malacca river. Based on Classification of River in Malaysia which taken from Department of Irrigation and Drainage Malaysia, Malacca river was felled under Class IV – only for irrigation.

The restoration of Malacca River was inisiated by Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohammad bin Mohammad Ali Rustam that determined to change the view of Malacca river to the tourism attraction.  In the beginning a lot of people seen that the restoration river were not economic in term of spending taxes money because the cost is too expensive with non revenue guaranteed. In addition, the maintenance cost definitely will  raised up and can affected the state treasury.  However during my visit to Malacca in 2011, I am proud with the restoration of Malacca River  and believe the money spending was paid off.


River Restoration defined as the return of river ecosystem to be close approximation of its condition prior to disturbance.

The main objective of restoration of Malacca river  to improve the condition of the river whist promoting to be as important tourist destination and historical entity

In order to achieved the objective, some of the element were considered during design.

The local contractor have been selected to construct the make over Malacca River as Design & Built Contract.

 The main problem to be resolve during restoration of dirty and smelly of Malacca River are sedimentation of mud, direct discharge of sewer to river, shallow and slowed flow and erosion.

in order to solve some of the construction work need to be done as dredging work , introduce of interceptor sewerage system as proper channel, water tidal gate to control the water level and river retaining wall.

After spending more than RM 300 million, the Malacca river transformed to better view

However from technical perspective in term of rehabilitation of river, Malacca River has yet to get a  clean bill of health because it only tranform from class IV to Class III where the water quality is not fit for consumption and human contact shall be avoided. 

Presently the Malacca River provided a lot of attraction for the tourist such as river cruise services. i also feel the experience seems like little venice. as a fact in order to provide the river cruise, Malacca State Government build proper water flow control facility at the mouth of the Malacca River (meeting with the Strait of Malacca). This facility allows the surface water along the Malacca River is stable so that 26 ships ornamental (Malacca Cruise) can flow calm pamper the travelers who reach 1,000 people per day.

From my last visit , although it has been late, around 23:00 local time, tourists are pampered with tranquility, clean air, and the area around the river is laid out nicely along this river.

Travel on the river is not expensive. To enjoy the tour with a boat, from 26 boats decorated, provided the Government of Malacca, Malaysia cost RM10.

With ornamental boat, tourists towards the estuary (the confluence of the Straits of Malacca). On both banks of the river, stood the old and new buildings are arranged in harmony.

Between the houses and buildings constructed pedestrian Malacca River for both walkers and cyclists. Some houses have been transformed into cafes, tourist places to rest.

In some parts, on the banks of the river, growing trees, including fruit trees Malacca. On the other side of the river, the Malacca Government to let mangroves thrive and meetings. This area is habitat for lizards, which are allowed to live freely there.

All the way down the river, the atmosphere light by flickering lights, day or night. All the buildings along the banks of the river fitted with colored lights, which turned on all day. Malacca Government who bears the cost of electricity.

Occasionally, the boat was under an old bridge, guarded authenticity. Similar Puente de Rialto in Venice in a smaller size.

Now all the spending money for the restoration of Malacca River seem paid off. Report said that the Malacca Government revenue from ticket sales of 10,000 Cruise Malacca Malaysian ringgit per day, or approximately USD 30 million.

The advantage is not only that, by following the Malacca Cruise tours, tourists who travel there to see storefronts in Malacca. From first glance, the travelers are expected to stay longer.

 I wonder if the Malacca River view is keep clean as now during my school age maybe the girl that dumped me will become my girlfriend.  So  till we will see again , 

Mata-ne, sayonara