Unesco Hands Over Certicate Signifying Melaka & Georgetown As World Heritage Sites

PARIS, Oct 8 (Bernama) -- The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) on Tuesday handed over to Malaysia a certificate acknowledging the inscription of Melaka and Georgetown as World Heritage Sites.

Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, president of the Malaysian National Commission for Unesco, received the certificate on behalf of Malaysia from Unesco Director-General Koichiro Matsuura here."It is not an easy accomplishment, it involves a lot of hard work from all concerned, especially the (Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage) Minister and Ministry. I'm pleased to accept the certificate on behalf of Malaysia," Hishammuddin said.Hishammuddin, who is Malaysia's Education Minister, is here to attend the ongoing meeting of the Unesco executive board of which he is a member.

In July, Unesco accorded recognition to Melaka and Georgetown as World Heritage Sites based on the lifestyle, history, architecture and varied cultures in these areas.World heritage sites are specific places like jungles, mountains, lakes, deserts, monuments, buildings, complexes or towns that have been nominated and recognised by the Unesco International World Heritage Programme managed by the Unesco World Heritage Committee.

The core areas encompass historical sites of Georgetown, including the Lebuh Acheh historical enclave, the Lebuh Acheh Malay Mosque, Jalan Mesjid Kapitan Kling Mosque, the Goddess of Mercy Temple, Sri Mariamman Temple, Khoo Kongsi, St Georges Church, Assumption Church, St Xaviers Institution, Convent Light Street, Little India, the museum and court building, the commercial area of Beach Street, Fort Cornwallis, Esplanade, City Hall, the clan jetties and the port areas.

In Melaka, the historical sites near St Pauls Hill, the 17th century Dutch Stadhuys buildings, Jonker Street with its Dutch-era buildings, Jalan Tukang Besi, Kampung Morten and Melaka River have been recognised as part of the world heritage site.

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