Melaka's Semarak Merdeka convoy kicks off on Aug 28

The three-day Semarak Merdeka Melaka 2020 convoy programme involving high-powered motorcycle riders will kick-off from the Malaysia Tourism Center in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 28, said State Tourism, Heritage and Culture Committee chairman Datuk Muhammad Jailani Khamis.

He said the convoy programme, which enters its third year, aims to further enliven the nation’s 63rd Independence month celebrations as well as to promote the tourism sector in Melaka.

He said the programme was organised by the state tourism promotion division of the Chief Minister's Department in collaboration with the Fast Bikes Club, with the support from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and Tourism Malaysia as well as several other government agencies.

“A total of 58 high-powered motorcyclists will join the convoy programme involving local participation from all over the country.

“The convoy participants will hold a COVID-19 public awareness campaign, especially in terms of adhering to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) to curb the spread of the pandemic and promoting the state government's official digital application, Melaka eXcess,” he told reporters in a media conference here, today.

Commenting further, Muhammad Jailani said the convoy would promote Melaka’s eco-tourism attractions as well, which will be part of the state government’s focus in the future.

He then explained that Melaka has many little known eco-tourism attractions such as the Turtle Conservation Center in Padang Kemunting and the Falak Al-Khawarizmi Complex in Masjid Tanah.

For instance, he said, in 2018 alone, the centre detected that some 786,000 hawksbill sea turtles landed on state shores, with some 78,000 turtle eggs incubated and 56,000 baby turtles released into the sea.

“The Turtle Conservation Center which is the landing and hatchery centre for turtle eggs has the potential to be developed and could attract foreign and local tourists in the future,” he said.

-- BERNAMA