Kee Ann Road of Malacca in Malaysia.

Down Memory Road Series

JALAN KEE ANN, 75100 MELAKA

Some of the existing Pre-World War 1 Heritage Shophouses along Jalan Kee Ann

History

Jalan Kee Ann or Kee Ann Road, located in the New Chinatown of Malacca, was named after a well known Malaccan businessman by the name of Mr. Seet Kee Ann. He donated the land to the Malacca Municipality as a gift to the people of Malacca and Kee Ann Road was built in early 1910s. To honour his generosity, the road was named after him so as to remind future generations of his deeds & generosity to people of Malacca.

As years go by, shop houses were built on Kee Ann Road in the early 1910s. Some of these pre-world war 1 heritage shophouses which our Malacca office is located, can still be seen here at Kee Ann Road.

Kee Ann Road looking towards Bunga Raya junction in December 2000

Kee Ann Road prospered especially by the building of the Central Market here in 1924. For about 64 years i.e.from 1924 until early 1988, the Central Market of Malacca attracted crowds of people to the Kee Ann Road and Pasar Baru Road especially in the morning. Traffic jams along Kee Ann Road and adjacent Bunga Raya Road were well known. However, in 1988, the Malacca Municipality shifted the Central Market towards Jalan Hang Tuah in an effort to reduce traffic jams around the area. The Central Market with her unique steel Victorian architectural design was demolished. The move temporarily caused business to drop but due to the diverse businesses that have developed around the area over the years, Kee Ann & Bunga Raya Roads remain as vibrant as ever in the New Chinatown of Malacca.

Moreover, Kee Ann Road can be considered a Bullion & Jewellery Street of Malacca. She has the largest number of goldsmith shops and jewellery shops clustered on this street. To date, there is at least 10 small and big shops located around this area. For visitors who are keen to check out the gold necklaces, ornaments and jewellery, a visit to Kee Ann Road is a must.

Another interesting item to check out Kee Ann Road is the shops that sews and retails Kebaya clothing. There are a number of shops that sells Kebayas and make to measure Kebayas. Customers can get their Kebaya measured up and buys the material from the shops or you can bring in your own material. Reasonable priced, these hand-made kebayas are great for gifts and to wear during formal occassions.

Pasar Malam & Food Fare

During the night, Kee Ann Road bursts into life by having her daily pasar malam or night market. Locals and tourists alike can casually walk by & shop for tapes, VCDs, handphones and other household items.

Visitors can also dine and eat along the street since a food fare is also opened every night from 6.00pm till 11.00pm. You can enjoy char keow teow, radish cake, duck mee, rojak, sugar cane drink, durian, roti canai, wan tan mee and many more delicacies.