Malacca clock tower explained

Malacca clock tower
Location:Dutch Square, Malacca City, Malaysia
Height:50 feet
Built:1886
Built For:Tan Beng Swee

The Malacca clock tower is a 19th century clock tower situated in Dutch Square, Malacca City, Malaysia.

History

The clock tower was built in 1886 by Tan Jiak Kim, a wealthy businessman and philanthropist, in memory of his late father Tan Beng Swee who died in 1884. It replaced an earlier clock tower erected in 1873 to house a clock donated by his father.[1] [2] [3] The current clock tower was originally white but was changed to red during the British administration along with the other colonial buildings in the square including the Stadthuys and Christ Church.

The clock tower is 50 feet high with a four-face clock with Roman numerals. For almost a century, it is said, the original clock never stopped until it was replaced in 1982.[4]

References

2.1943°N 102.2489°W

Notes and References

  1. News: Chandy . Gloria . 27 August 1979 . 3 generations of generosity . 9 . New Nation .
  2. Book: Arnold Wright, H. A. Cartwright . Twentieth Century Impressions of British Malaya: Its History, People, Commerce, Industries, and Resources . Lloyd's Greater Britain publishing Company, limited . 1908 . 248.
  3. News: 19 November 1873 . STRAITS SETTLEMENTS . 4 . Straits Times Overland Journal .
  4. News: Bernama . 27 January 2020 . Tourists flock to Melaka's red clock tower . New Straits Times .