Hang Tuah commercial centre, catalyst for Melaka's inland development

After the successful development of Melaka Raya, Kota Laksamana, Pulau Melaka and Klebang on reclaimed land, the state government will now move forward to undertake inland development such as the Hang Tuah Commercial Centre.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron said the centre would require an investment of between RM400 million and RM500 million for the first phase of its development.

The centre which would be sprawled across Jalan Hang Tuah, Jalan Tun Ali, Pengkalan Rama, Kampung Morten to Melaka Sentral would comprise a hypermarket, transportation hub, tourist attractions, residences and institutions of higher learning.

"The state executive council meeting has agreed in principle to the development of the commercial centre in a move to balance reclaimed land and inland development in the state," he told Bernama here Saturday.

He said the focus of the inland development was to raise the socio-economic status of the people in the area.

"The centre will also focus on academic development. Right now, Universiti Teknologi MARA and Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka have their campuses here," he said, adding that eight developmental projects over 40.5 hectares is expected to be ready in five years.

Idris said two projects which would be the pillars of the commercial centre are the reconstruction of the Hang Tuah Hall and the construction of the Melaka Foundation building.

He said the existing two-storey Hang Tuah Hall will be rebuilt into an eight-storey building. It will continue to house a library but the clock tower within would be upgraded into the main landmark in the commercial centre.

The 25-storey Melaka Foundation building, to be completed in three years costing RM25 million, will houses offices and a 252-room hotel that would generate income for the foundation.

Idris said the state government also planned to redevelop buildings which had no more historic value within the Hang Tuah Commercial Centre

"The affected buildings will be refurbished to look attractive so as to be able to generate economic activities in the area," he said, adding that traffic congestion, the drug menace and prostitution will become a thing of the past.