MELAKA: Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali turned into "Santa Claus" by granting the wishes of the Portuguese community to have better infrastructure at their settlement in Ujong Pasir.

       Sulaiman, who spent a few hours at the Portuguese Settlement here to extend his Christmas wishes to some 1,000 residents on Saturday (Dec 25), promised the remedial works will be carried out immediately.

       He instructed the relevant departments to look into upgrading the roads, better street lighting system and also the flood mitigation programmes in the area.

       The Chief Minister also spent his Christmas visit to the settlement by enjoying the local dishes.

       He was accompanied by Santa Claus and little "santarinas" on a tour of the homes of the revellers.

       Sulaiman also added a festive touch by delivering a Christmas gift to an 82-year-old resident of the settlement who was affected by the flash flood on Dec 7.