Malacca.Reborn.

Blanketed by ambition and poised at the juncture of restless searching souls, Malacca is unlikely territory for heritage/cultural observations and simplified city-dwelling towers. But defiant Malaccans insist on having them, and then, once they are in place, eagerly get in line to ride up and have a look, in disdain… often comparing what is available with other localities eg KL, Penang and Singapore. 

Kiasu Malaccans !

The latest addition to this fairy lighted city’s soaring slew of buildings, dizzying Ferris wheels (in development) and skyscraper-tops is Kerjaya Hotel , which at 42 stories high, holds the title as  Malacca’s tallest free-standing tower. This Kerjaya project, which has started building, annexed just outside the World Heritage center within the old riverine quarter of Malacca has promised to become an instant hot ticket for lodging and F&B in Malacca .

That is tall enough, though, for a head-clearing perspective of sprawling Malacca, old quarters and all, all the way to Batang Tiga and faraway Alor Gajah whose multiple suburban centers, odd block-based address system and reliance on  highways, by ways and  one –way thoroughfares often elicit confusion at ground level for drivers.

Having been up and cosseted within the Renaissance Ramada Hotel’s top floor suite (which at 27 floors, is the top most building in Malacca today) ; for me, one surprise in the vantage point there is a sudden realization of how far distorted maps of Malacca depart from the geographic reality of actual Malacca hidden by clouds and the occasional smog from Indonesia, from a drivers point of view.

This upstart of a city really is immersed in the beauty of romantic  irrationality and mystery given that just outside the coast line of dear old Malacca is the Big Island (Pulau Besar) which to all and sundry looks just like a pregnant damsel lying horizontally awaiting her suitor to come rescue her from nearby Gunung Ledang @ Mt.Ophir.

Throbbing with commerce and life, on any given weekday and weekend morning, you may find an animated crowd waiting patiently in Melaka Taming Sari Building to buy tickets, to ride up gasping at a rapidly ascending view - through clear windows in the round revolving Tower’s safety lift mechanism cum observation deck, pointed out landmarks keyed on satellite maps and once upon a time, the privileged view of birds of prey soaring high up along the coastline.

In retrospect just 15 years ago; circa 1998 Malacca was still identified as a sleepy hollow but 
with the will power of a forward looking administration she has clearly leapt high in modernizing 
herself whilst sustaining her ancestral heritage and glory. Malacca is now regaining her 
yesteryear glory as a multicultural place of interest.

This city thrives and purrs underneath the closseted alacrity of glass buildings and 
thoroughfares running through her like so much veins of commerce throbbing with the life of 
industry.

 That is when you know the city has been able to demarcate the line between  tradition,
heritage saving and modern city living .The move from township to city feels just right — 
at the peripheral limits of the Old Town a new city is given birth to; but still within the 
confines and limitations of her  grand geography. Traffic streams by on nearby expressways
in a blur of red and white light, the future Ferris wheel at the reclaimed  waterfront cum 
entertainment complex  near Taman Melaka Raya will whirl with its own bright display, 
and Malacca stands proud, glimmering beneath the illuminated Highway Bridge. 

Malacca's new born ambiance seems to appeal to young lovers. Couples who appeared to be
 out on a date dominated the thin crowd on  warm evenings.Clusters of lighted skyscrapers 
mark the coast line of this new city within the boundaries of vision and desire.On clear nights, 
the magnificent view extends to the horizon, identifiable by a glimpse of the Menara Taming 
Sari, The condominiums in Klebang and the Mahkota skyline.Making this another restive but
thriving, throbbing port of destination to the weary souls of this world.