MALACCA: Monuments and historical markings should be accompanied by proper studies and research to ensure accuracy, to prevent Malacca’s history from being exploited for commercial gains.
The recent confusion surrounding the shifting of a rock marked as the so-called landing spot of 15th century Chinese admiral Cheng Ho (or Zheng He) has prompted local heritage enthusiast Colin Goh to call for the matter to be looked into more seriously by authorities.
Goh, 70, said the accuracy of details relayed to tourists at historical sites is critical, given the recent influx of Chinese tourists and investors.
"As a local who was born and raised here, I would like Malacca to be portrayed as fairly and factually as possible," said Goh.
"There is truth that Cheng Ho landed here, but is there any truth on where he actually set foot here?
"There are many historical facts that need to be clarified, instead of hyping things up and selling it for the sake of mass tourism, especially from China,” he said.
The issue had sparked controversy among local residents, who were irked by the setting up of a stone, allegedly the location where Cheng Ho first set foot in Malacca in 1405.
Goh said there was insufficient corroboration on whether Cheng Ho actually alighted from his Chinese treasure ship and set foot on Malacca soil.
He said the Chinese treasure ship, which were what Cheng Ho's fleet of vessels were known as back then, was built with ample facilities and food.
"Cheng Ho probably stayed comfortably in his ship when in Malacca, instead of risking being attacked in a foreign land," he said, noting that this was just his own inference.
Former Malacca World Heritage Office director and heritage volunteer Rosli Nor, 62 also shared the same sentiment, saying that there should be proper research as to where Cheng Ho actually landed.
"Based on history, Cheng Ho indeed came to Malacca but it is illogical to state that he landed at the very spot where the stone was placed.
"Cheng Ho was a diplomat from China who came to strengthen bilateral ties between China and the Malacca Sultanate during the Ming dynasty.
"Logically in the Malacca Sultanate era, dignitaries should be welcomed at the entrance of Kota Melaka and not in an open market," said Rosli.
He said history showed that the main entrance of the Sultan's Palace was at the site near where the present Clock Tower is, near Stadthuys, which served as the Dutch seat of administration during their colonisation of Malacca between 1641 and 1825.