In April 1946, Melaka became part of the Malayan Union and later the Federation of Malaya in February 1948. Melaka was the venue where the declaration of independence was made by the first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman at Dataran Pahlawan on February 1, 1956. This eventually led to the independence of Malaya on August 31, 1957. Melaka became part of Malaysia on September 16, 1963.
Melaka was colonised by the Portuguese, Dutch and British as well as was occupied by the Japanese during World War 2. Melaka was also a part of the Straits Settlements together with Singapore and Penang during the British rule.
In April 1946, Melaka became part of the Malayan Union and later the Federation of Malaya in February 1948. Melaka was the venue where the declaration of independence was made by the first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman at Dataran Pahlawan on February 1, 1956. This eventually led to the independence of Malaya on August 31, 1957. Melaka became part of Malaysia on September 16, 1963.
Proclamation of Independence Memorial
The Proclamation of Independence Memorial is housed in a classic Dutch colonial mansion that was once the home of the Melaka Club that was founded in 1890. The premises were handed over to the Melaka State Government in 1984 to turn it into a memorial as well as to gazette it into a historical monument. It was officially opened by Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia’s first Prime Minister on August 31, 1985, exactly 38 years after Independence.
The building is flanked by two golden domes. The memorial displays records and photographs on the early history of the Malay Sultanate, the country’s struggle against colonialism, Japanese occupation during World War 2 and Communist insurgency during the 1948-1960 Emergency, Malaya’s journey to independence as well as the development of modern Malaysia.
Several types of media are used to illustrate the chronology of events, which include photographs, dioramas, manuscripts, slide shows and films. Some of the memorabilia among the exhibits are the table used by Tunku Abdul Rahman during the declaration of Independence, the limousine used by him to the site and a pair of police armoured vehicles during the Emergency.
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Coronation Park
The Coronation Park, also known as Taman Bunga Merdeka is one of the few open green spaces in Melaka. The Coronation Park was named to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s succession to the thrown in June 1953. It is located in the city centre, facing a row of museums in Melaka. The park used to be larger and it faced the sea but land reclamation has pushed the sea to a considerable distance. The development of the city has also taken over the edges of the park.
Other than being a park, relics of the past can be found there. The foundation stones of a bastion in the city walls of Melaka or A Famosa that was built by the Portuguese and Dutch but demolished by the British remain there.
There is also a war memorial obelisk with inscriptions on all the four sides. The memorial commemorates those who fought for the British in the Sungai Ujong War in 1875-76.
The main attraction is the rain trees and Melaka tree, from which the state got its name.
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Independence Obelisk
The Independence Obelisk is located at Dataran Pahlawan, not too far away from other iconic historical landmarks in Melaka. It is a pyramid-shaped structure with a letter ‘M’ on each side. The letter ‘M’ represents ‘Merdeka’, which means independence. The map of Malaya can be found at the three corners of the triangular base. The names of all the states in the Federation are inscribed on the base along the side of the pyramid.
The obelisk marks the location of the field where Tunku Abdul Rahman and his delegation were welcomed in 1956 on their return from England after successfully negotiating for independence from the British. The obelisk marks the spot where Tunku announced the date of independence for the Federation of Malaya from the British. It also marks the spot where the British Commissioner H.G. Hammett handed over the Instrument of Independence to the Governor of Melaka on August 31, 1957. The proclamation of independence was read by the Chief Minister of Melaka.
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Melaka River
In the late 16th century, the Melaka River was dubbed the ‘Venice of the East’ by European seafarers because it was a prominent port for traders from Asia as well as Europe.
The river spans about 10 kilometres in length, starting from the foothills in Negeri Sembilan and pours into the Strait of Melaka. The Melaka River is believed to the be the place where Melaka was founded by Parameswara from Sumatera. He built his palace along the east bank of the river in the 1400s.
The river was also used by the Portuguese to conquer Melaka in 1511. A historical site along the river is the Middelburg Bastion. It was part of the A Famosa that was built by the Portuguese. The Middelburg Bastion was added by the Dutch and served as a centre of defence, trade and administration. It was one of the most important bastions that the Dutch used to fight off attacks from their enemies. There is also the ruins of Frederic Hendrik Bastion nearby.
The Melaka River was not only important to the traders but also to the locals as there were fishing villages and Malay kampung on both banks of the river. The river divides the Melaka City into two parts. On one side is the Dutch Red Square while on the other is the Chinatown. These two sides are presently linked by several bridges. One of the bridges was used during the Japanese occupation in World War 2 to place severed heads of their victims as a reminder for the locals to toe the line.
Today, Melaka River is a tourist attraction. The Melaka River Cruise is claimed to be the only river cruise in Southeast Asia that takes the visitors through the history of Melaka from the 15th century till today.
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Taming Sari Tower
Taming Sari Tower or Menara Taming Sari is a 110-metre tall tower with a revolving viewing platform. The tower offers a 360-degree panoramic views of Melaka city and its surrounding areas.
Taming Sari Tower is located at Bandar Hilir, not far from Melaka’s historical attractions. The tower is named after the mythical keris belonged to Melaka’s legendary warrior, Hang Tuah. The design of the tower resembles the shape of the keris. The peak of the tower represents its hilt.
Despite its name, it is a modern tower, built using the Swiss technology. The revolving platform can accommodate up to 80 people at any one time. Each viewing session lasts about seven minutes. The viewing platform revolves as it rises from the ground to a height of 80 metres above the ground.
The Taming Sari Tower was first opened to the public in April 2008.
