Sarner to invest RM62m in Malacca project

KUALA LUMPUR: Sarner IXL Sdn Bhd, which will invest a total of RM62.5mil in a major tourist attraction project in Malacca to be known as “Malacca Alive, History In a New Way”, is targeting to achieve 800,000 to 1 million visitors in the first 12 months of its operations.

Sarner president Mohd Nizar Mohd Najib said the first phase of Malacca Alive would be completed by April next year and the second and final phase slated for completion in 2012.

The Malacca Alive tourism project is located in Bandar Hilir which was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Mohd Nizar said the crown jewel and focus of attraction of Malacca Alive would be Bahtera Merdeka, which offers visitors the experience of 5D, the first of its kind in Asia.

“Visitors will experience the birth of a nation, from the start of Malacca through the years of prosperity until the beginning of Malaysia, and the venue can also be used for other purposes including concerts,” he said at a press briefing yesterday.

Malacca Alive would also have a couple of museums such as the 4-D theatre Rakyat museum showcasing Malaysia’s natural history and a time travel museum which gives visitors the experience of going back in history. Moreover, there will be 50 retail outlets and outdoor warisan complex bistro as well.

Malacca Alive and the museums are build under the auspices of Perbadanan Muzium Melaka which is tasked to manage daily visitors at the tourist sites.

Mohd Nizar said phase one of Malacca Alive cost slightly over RM21mil, while phase two would cost RM41.4mil. The project would be financed via bank borrowings.

There will also be a grand tour of the place through various modes of transport.

By The Star