Parts of historic Stadhuys building being left to rot, says Melaka exco member

MELAKA: Parts of the historic Stadhuys building in Bandar Hilir are decaying and Kota Laksamana representative Low Chee Leong wants to know why the building has been left in such a deplorable state.

He said the three-century-old building had been neglected despite the state previously saying that an executive councillor would oversee the heritage aspect of such historical sites.

“Hopefully, there will be efforts to restore the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) World Heritage Site,” he said on Saturday (Feb 4).

Stadthuys was built by the Dutch in 1650 as the office of the governor and deputy governor.

Low said the building, considered one of the oldest buildings in the country, should be preserved.

“It’s an indisputable fact that Melaka is a world heritage site and this should not happen. I call upon the ne Melaka Museum Corporation chairman and the Melaka Mayor to propose for its restoration.

Low said the state needs to show a commitment to preserve historic buildings.

A check by The Star showed that the part of the building that once housed the Melaka Court complex is filled with shrubs and teeming with trees.

The windows and paint at the abandoned part have also deteriorated.