Melaka govt gives village until Jan 1 to relocate Christ statue

MELAKA: The Melaka state government has given a reprieve until the New Year celebration for the Portuguese community to dismantle the “Christ the Redeemer” statue, built at the Portuguese Square in Ujong Pasir, here.

State Transport, Project Rehabilitation and International Trade Committee chairman Lim Ban Hong said the extension given to the Kampung Portugis Development and Security Committee (JKKK) for the statue’s removal was decided at the recent state executive council meeting.

“I received a letter of appeal from JKKK Kampung Portugis in November, asking the state government to reconsider the dismantling of the statue and the reprieve is given for the good of the state government and the villagers,” he told reporters after the Melaka Syariah Lawyers Accreditation ceremony here today.

Also present were Melaka Chief Minister Idris Haron and Melaka Chief Syariah Judge Mohd Radzi Abd Latif.

Lim said after being given the reprieve, the JKKK Kampung Portugis had to find a suitable location for them to relocate the statue.

“The application for the new location of the statue must then be made to the local authority for approval,” he said.

The Portuguese community had put up the replica to enliven the Christmas celebration this year.

However, it was erected without prior approval from the Melaka Historic City Council (MBMB), and in a public parking area which can pose some risk to the public. -FMT