Security at St Paul’s Church to be enhanced

MELAKA: Security at St Paul’s Church here, the oldest church ruins in South-East Asia, will be enhanced to prevent vandalism, says the Melaka Museum Board (Perzim).

Perzim chairman Datuk Akramuddin Abdul Aziz said his team would work with the Melaka Historic City Council to assign more enforcement officers to the hilltop historical site to safeguard its relics and surroundings.

Evidence of vandalism on the walls of St Paul’s Church.

“We need to look into various approaches to stop vandalism at St Paul’s Hill and other similar sites, apart from installing CCTVs (close-circuit television),” he said after a visit to St Paul’s Hill yesterday.

The visit was made following complaints of vandalism on the hilltop.

For example, some souvenir vendors have claimed that ink had been sprayed onto the wall of St Paul’s Church in Bandar Hilir here.

Akramuddin said that vandals could face action under the National Heritage Act, which outlines a jail term of up to five years or a maximum fine of RM50,000 or both.

“We are finding new approaches to maintaining our historical sites, including organising all-out campaigns to create awareness about preserving such sites,” he added.

Threatened historical site: Melaka City Council Mayor Datuk Shadan Othman taking a closer look at the defaced walls along with Perzim officials.

Meanwhile, Save the Portuguese Action Committee chairman Martin Theseira said efforts must be made to form a heritage preservation group comprising all communities in the state as well as historians.

He said forming such a group would help bolster the preservation of heritage sites in the state.

“We are willing to work with Perzim to safeguard our historic elements while giving tourism value to the state,” he added.