CM SUGGESTS PORTUGUESE VILLAGE BE DECLARED IMALAYSIA MODEL VILLAGE

MELAKA (Malaysia), Dec 27 (Bernama) -- Melaka Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam
Sunday night suggested the Information Communication and Culture Ministry to
declare the Portuguese Village in Ujong Pasir here as a 1Malaysia model village.

He said this was because in the village, people of various races were able
to live together in peace and harmoniously.

"If this can be realised, we will invite Prime Minister Mohd
Najib Tun Razak to launch it," he said when speaking at the 2010 National
Christmas Open House which was held in the village.

The function, attended by about 10,000 people, was opened by Melaka's Head
of State Mohd Khalil Yaakob.

Also present was Information Communication and Culture Minister Dr Rais
Yatim.


Mohd Ali said the Portuguese Village was the oldest Portuguese settlement in
the country and also a very unique one because of the intermarriage between the
Portuguese residents and the Chinese, Malay, Indian and Sikh people.

"Every year, these families, who live separately, will gather to celebrate
Christmas," he added.

He said the community in the village still retained their Portuguese
culture, especially for occasions like celebrating Christmas.

"All the houses have Christmas trees which are decorated with colourful
lights and the trees are not only placed in the house, but also in the house
compound," he added.

On the presence of the people of various races and religions at the
function, Mohd Ali said it showed that the 1Malaysia concept mooted by Najib was
more received by the people.

-- BERNAMA