Merlimau
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Merlimau is a main town in Melaka, Malaysia. It is situated about 22 kilometers south-east of Melaka Historical City. It was used to be the main town when you travel south of West Malaysia but in the last 40 years it has been bypassed. Since then it was left out until more shophouses were constructed.
Nowadays, Merlimau town becomes busy with inhabitants, students and vehicles. There are housing areas in Merlimau and in nearby areas such as in Air Tawar and Batu Gajah.
The area along Merlimau - Jasin road has become a place of residence for students of Merlimau Polytechnics. There have been 2 secondary schools established as early as 1960s, named Sekolah Datuk Abdul rahman Yaakub (SDARY) and Sekolah Dang Anum (SDA)and housing areas. The interchange with PLUS southern expressway were also opened at Lipat Kajang.
At present, Merlimau could be reached within 30 minutes from the new north-south highway, 4-lane highway opened in June 2007. This new highway (known as AMJ highway)is linking Simpang Ampat in Alor Gajah and Muar in Johore. The junction is about 3 kilometers from Merlimau town, at the Merlimau-Jasin Road intersection. We can also use the old federal road from Melaka to Muar which may take us through panoramic village views.No have a railway station at Merlimau. But nearest railway station at Pulau Sebang about 60 kilometer or Batang Melaka Railway Station (42 kilometer north of Jasin District)
Merlimau is also equipped with Fire Brigade and post-office facilities. The police station is about 1 km down south on the road to Muar. ATM machines for BSN (at Jalan Batu Gajah), BIMB (at Merlimau Polytechnics main gate) and Mayban (at Taman Debunga shop houses) are available. You can always ask the local residents for the exact location of those places.
Around the area, there are Sebatu and Simpang Pantai Aquaculture Zones. Kuala Sebatu itself is occupied by few fisherman boats, and you can enjoy the view of mangrove trees and Melaka Strait from there. The area measuring 550 hectares in Sebatu has been identified as the site for High Impact Project for Aquaculture Industry to cultivate green mollusc by the Agriculture & Agr-based Industry Minister. With the project, the ministry hopes the molusc harvesting in the state would increase 3-fold by the end of 9th Malaysian Plan (ref: NST 14th December 2007). The Simpang Pantai Aquaculture Zone, started at end 2006 on the 13.2 hectares area is predicted to produce 8 tonnes of products at the end of this year (ref: BH 6th July 2007).
These Sebatu and Simpang Pantai Aquaculture Zones could be potential tourist attraction for Merlimau. Other attraction could be the magrove swamp lays about 6 kilometers along the flat muddy beach south of Merlimau to the estuary of Sungai Kesang which separate Melaka and Johore stateship. Although it was slightly disturbed, but on overall it is almost as intact as before with density being a little bit reduced. Tour operator could probably introduce boat return trips from Melaka pier to this mangrove area, making stops at Sebatu and Simpang Pantai Aquaculture Zones. Investment could be done to construct chalets at the edge of the mangrove and provide walkways for the guest to explore deep into the forest. Probably something similar to Tanjung Piai (the most southern part of Asia mainland)in Johor. With the proper planning, these eco-tourism activities could be established without destroying the fauna and flora of the swamp, which actually very important in the whole marine eco-system.
The famous historical Penghulu Nattar's House is located here. Also, about 3 kilometers away in Kampung Simpang, visitors can have a look at Tun Teja Grave. The Tun Teja story goes back to the Melaka sultanage era.
Stay in Merlimau, at the Merlimau Inn. It is a Kampung Styled Hotel, with only eight rooms, situated in the heart of Merlimau town, enjoying both "kampung" and city lifestyle about 200 metres from the 4-junction traffic lights. This junction was initially a round-about. Merlimau is in the middle between Melaka and Muar city.
Should the government construct a highway from Air Keroh Interchange of PLUS Southern Expressway to Segamat-Kuantan highway (Federal Road No. 12) end point at Batu Anam, the accessibility of Merlimau from the East Cost will be a lot of easier.
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