By Mohd Bakri Darus
MELAKA, April 2 (Bernama) -- For centuries, the Malay Archipelago witnesses the strong bond between Melaka and Riau, famed for its legend of the "Lancang Kuning" (Royal Barge).
Even according to history, Bugis warriors from Riau went to the assistance of the Melaka Malay Sultanate after the defeat to the Portuguese armada in 1511.
Despite being separated by the Straits of Melaka, the world`s busiest shipping lane, the bond is in existence right until today and it is no surprise that the majority of Indonesian tourists in Melaka came from this Sumatran Province.
MELAKA-RIAU TIES
The Fokker 50 flight from Batu Berendam Airport here to Pekan Baru took a mere 40 minutes while the Dumai-Melaka Port ferry service took some hour longer.
End of last year, the Melaka government headed by Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob paid a visit to Pekan Baru, the provincial capital of Riau.
Among those in the entourage were Khalil`s consort Toh Puan Zurina Kassim, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam and his wife Datin Seri Asmah Abdul Rahman.
The aircraft touched down at Sultan Sharif Qasim Airport and were given a grand welcome by Riau Governor, Babak H.M. Rusli Zainal, according to the culture and traditions of the land of the "Lancang Kuning" (Yellow Barge) that has the population of 4.6 million.
ASAM PEDAS IKAN PATIN
At the dinner held to welcome them, the Melaka guests were served the asam pedas ikan patin and dessert was durian, the king of fruits.
Speaking at the function, Rusli called for the existing Riau-Melaka ties to be enhanced to cover all fields.
He invited tourists from Melaka and other Malaysian states to visit Riau`s 11 districts as the province offers various attractions like historical sites, beautiful islands and virgin jungles.
When speaking to Malaysian reporters, the Riau Governor said the bond would be further enhanced when the Dumai-Melaka ferry service, that also transports vehicles, comes into service.
Rusli said in his meeting with Mohd Ali, the Melaka Chief Minister agreed to provide a similar service at the Kuala Linggi Port, Alor Gajah.
TOURISM SECTOR
He said the service would be expanded to other states in the Peninsula including Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Johor that have close ties with Riau.
The ferry service would further catalyse the bilateral economic ties between Riau and Malaysia, adding that the former has huge potential particularly in the plantation, oil, gas and coal sectors.
On tourism, he called for Riau and Malaysia tour operators to create travel packages for visits at tourist attractions.
He said as the people of Riau and Malaysia shared similar culture and mother tongue, travel agents on both sides of the Melaka Straits should have no problems in cooperating with each other.
BARTER TRADE
On barter trade between Riau and Melaka, Rusli said the activity that had existed since the old Melaka Malay sultanate is progressing and serves as the catalyst for economic growth between the two areas.
"It is progressing well. (Barter) of vegetables, handicraft, cement, electrical equipment and other merchandise," he said.
In conjunction with the visit, a Melaka `Travel Mart` was also held at a hotel in Pekan Baru, that has a population of 750,000.
When opening the event, Mohd Ali took the opportunity to promote Melaka as the destination for all tourists visiting Malaysia.
He said Melaka has a lot to offer, in line with the slogan of "Visiting Historical Melaka Means Visiting Malaysia".
The Melaka Chief Minister also highlighted the existence of modern medical centres in the state, offering treatment and expertise that are on par with that offered by health institutions in developed nations but at lower costs.
Mohd Ali invited more students from Indonesia to study at the 37 tertiary education institutions in Melaka.
Source: www.bernama.com (7 April 2007)
