Growing up, I was always proud of Melaka. Even though it was a small state, it was famous for its rich history, and the streets were always clean and well-kept. You could really feel the effort put into keeping the place looking good.
Today, things look very different. You don’t even have to look hard to see the neglect. Just drive along the AMJ Highway from Simpang Ampat all the way to Melaka City. The roadside decorations look sad and abandoned. The grass is tall and wild. Even when the contractors finally cut it, they do a messy job. The weeds near the curb should be pulled out from the roots, but they just chop the tops off.
It makes you wonder, is the work done so carelessly just so they can keep submitting claims to the authorities over and over again? Who is actually responsible for monitoring all this?
The moment you cross the border into Muar, Johor, you notice a huge difference. The landscape suddenly changes, the roads are tidy, and everything looks well-managed. Coming back into Melaka, the contrast is depressing. Our state feels dirty, neglected, and tired.
Melaka relies on tourism and heritage, so we cannot afford to let our basic standards drop like this. It is disappointing for tourists, but even worse for the locals who live here every day. What actually happened to our state? Maybe it’s time we ask the Chief Minister directly.