We meet again...

By Zarina Zakariah
zarinaz@nst.com.my
Pix by Rosdan Wahid

The signboard heading to Merlimau...

Here we are... this time around it's from Merlimau. With the simultaneous polls in Merlimau and Kerdau coming up, press are pressed for time and resources. But anyhow, we will strive to give you the best coverage as usual...:-)

Merlimau was not as geared up as Galas, but definitely not as wet as Tenang. It's hot and sunny here...with chances of meatballs... No scrap that, it's more like chances of asam pedas, and ikan bakar...! :-) Though there is still time for any last minute action to kick in, for now, it's mostly low keyed campaigning.

BUT if we do see some action, be assured we'll be bringing you the best from nst.com.my, this blog or our facebook. Don't forget to join us on our facebook page, and register for sms alerts to make sure you get the best, the fastest, from us...

Keep coming back for more... If you can't make it to Merlimau, we'll bring Merlimau to you...:-)

Humble origins from lime-bath tradition

By Jason Gerald John

According to history, Merlimau got its name from a tree which bears fruits similar to an orange or known locally in Malay as "limau". 

This type of tree is said to be extinct in Merlimau now, but since it resembled a "limau" (orange), locals added the word "me" to "limau", to depict that the fruit of the jungle creeper resembles a "limau".

The spelling was then changed to include the letter "r" and this resulted in the current spelling of Merlimau.

There is also a different version, which states that the name Merlimau originated from the ancient tradition of "mandi limau" (where a person takes a bath in water mixed with lime juice).

According to some native villagers of Merlimau, this bathing tradition was practised by those who were going to the legendary Gunung Ledang or Mount Ophir to "bertapa" (meditate).

These people would come to the area which is now known as Merlimau to take their bath before proceeding to Asahan which was the gateway to Gunung Ledang.

Hence, those seeking to isolate themselves in meditation at Gunung Ledang, would say they were going to "melimau" (the act of bathing in lime juice) and this practice gave birth to the town Merlimau.

Folklore also has it that the ancient warriors, or "pahlawan" to the locals, used to come to a specific place to sharpen their "kris" and to bathe it in lime juice.

So when these warriors were asked where they were going, the answer would be to "melimau" the kris .

And soon after the place which the warriors went to sharpen their weapons and to bathe it in lime juice was identified as Merlimau.

Merlimau is located some 30km from the historical city of Malacca. The town could be reached within 30 minutes from the North-South Expressway via a four-lane highway known as AMJ, which links Simpang Ampat in Alor Gajah and Muar in Johor.

Merlimau is also home to the Sebatu and Simpang Pantai aquaculture zones.

The Sebatu area measuring 550ha in has been identified as the site for High-Impact Project for Aquaculture Industry to cultivate green mollusc by the government.

The Sempang Pantai Aquaculture Zone, started in late 2006 on a 13.2ha site, is expected to yield eight tonnes of produce by year end.

These aquaculture zones are tourist attractions for Merlimau. The historical Penghulu Nattar's house is located in Kampung Sempang and visitors can also visit Tun Teja's grave.

Read more: Humble origins from lime-bath tradition