PM PROUD GEORGETOWN, MELAKA NOMINATED AS UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES

Bernama
By Rosyatimah Tukimin

KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi wants more efforts be made to improve the facilities and cleanliness of Georgetown and Melaka.

Abdullah said he was proud that both cities have been named as World Heritage Sites of the United Nations Education, Science and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) last night.

"Both cities need to take advantage of the announcement. Efforts must be made to improve the facilities, cleanliness and other services to attract more tourists," he told Bernama at the Group of Eight Developing Islamic Countries (D-8) here today.

He said the announcement meant a lot to the country.

"Although we have made efforts to modernise both cities, we have not neglected our heritage," he told Bernama at the Group of Eight Developing Islamic Countries summit here today.

Abdullah said achievement was due to the determined efforts of the Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry which was then under Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.

He also thanked Melaka Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam and Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, former Penang Chief Minister. -- BERNAMA