Over 37,000 People Enjoy Free Entry To Melaka Tourism Sites As At 2 pm - Ab Rauf

MELAKA, Feb 20 -- More than 37,000 visitors were recorded taking advantage of the free entry to 13 tourist locations in the state in conjunction with the Declaration of Independence of Malaya public holiday, as of 2pm today.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said in the second year of the initiative, it was more systematic and went smoothly at each of the locations. 

"This situation can be seen through the survey I conducted at several places... the entry of visitors was more orderly even though there were many people, this followed the improvements made at each location which provides free entry.

"We also found that the majority of visitors this year are people from Melaka since today is a public holiday for this state only," he told reporters at Taman Rempah Jetty here today.

Also present were the state Tourism, Heritage, Arts and Culture Exco Datuk Abdul Razak Abdul Rahman and Melaka River and Coastal Development Corporation (PPSPM) chief executive officer Shaharul Azuar Idris.

Elaboratring further, Ab Rauf said on the overall the state government is targeting up to 70,000 visitors to enjoy all the free tourism products which will end at 5 pm.

He said the free entry opportunity is a 'gift' offered by the state government and should be fully utilised by the people of Melaka.

"This is the time for them to take advantage of the opportunity to have fun and vacation with their families to enjoy the facilities and interesting places in this state," he said.

Meanwhile, one of the visitors, Mohd Zulazreen Mohd Nasir, 37, from Cheng, said he did not miss the opportunity to take his mother and two children since early in the morning to visit the free locations offered.

The man who is an engineer, visited the Malaysia Prison Museum in Banda Hilir and the Melaka River Cruise at Taman Rempah Jetty.

"This year the operation is better and smoother, besides the roads are not too crowded... the waiting time for the queue is also not too long," he said.

Meanwhile, housewife Nor Afikah Mohd Zin, 34, from Banda Hilir said she took her three children for a walk in locations near her house namely the Melaka River Cruise and Menara Taming Sari.

"Thank you to the state government for giving the people of this state the opportunity to enter tourist attractions in Melaka for free," she said.

-- BERNAMA