MELAKA: The state government must provide tangible evidence before any attempts are made to change the name of St Paul's Hill to Bukit Melaka, says an activist from the Portuguese community.

       Michael Singho said such evidence must be backed with proper historical research and not anecdotal accounts.

       “In what account, annal or literary piece is St Paul's Hill known as Bukit Melaka before the Portuguese arrived?” he asked in response to a proposal to change the name of the hill to Bukit Melaka, which turned into a fiery debate during the state legislative assembly on Thursday (March 3).

       Singho said it would be logical for Bukit Melaka to hold historical significance such as unforgettable or eventful incidents that were worthy to be etched and recorded in the historical profile of the place before the Portuguese.

       “Please show us if there is indeed such evidence,” he said.

       Singho said the history of St Paul's Hill was well recorded with many chapters, beginning with the Portuguese period, throughout the Dutch rule, and followed by the British.

       “The historical accounts, as well as tangible testimonies, have been a profound attraction to the state's vibrant tourism industry,”he said.

       Singho also questioned what was the rationale behind the move to rename the hill "all of a sudden".

       “Why this obsession with changing names instead of spending time and energy looking for better ways and ideas to revitalise and expand the attractions of the tourism industry?” he asked.

       Singho added that there should be more progressive development in the state rather than changing names of historic sites and marine reclamation.