Five-year plan for Masjid Tanah to be Melaka's fourth district

MELAKA: Masjid Tanah here is set to be Melaka's fourth district within five years, says Datuk Seri Idris Haron (pic)

The state rural development, flood management and green technology committee chairman said the state government was moving towards elevating Masjid Tanah as a district, which is now part of the Alor Gajah district.

There three districts in the state are Melaka Tengah, Alor Gajah and Jasin.

Idris said the state government was collecting data and information needed to submit to the Federal Government for approval.

"The border demarcation procedure for Masjid Tanah as a district is ongoing.

"Government departments will start operating in Masjid Tanah once it becomes a district," he said on Saturday (Oct 17).

He said more job opportunities as well as new developments are expected and would benefit around 150,000 residents.

The name Masjid Tanah originated from a mosque that was built with soil by a religious scholar from Gujarat, India in the 1800s together with a local named Sulong Sibeng.

Most of the original soil-built mosque was demolished but the structure was rebuilt in 1951.