MELAKA (March 14): The existing buildings in Upeh Island's resort here will be re-developed as D'Upeh Wellness Resort & Spa at a cost of RM20 million involving the participation of the Chief Minister Inc (CMI) and Mrails International Sdn Bhd.

Melaka Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Idris Haron, said the resort would offer 39 refurbished chalets to include the architectural features of the country's plural society — pagoda roof, wall finishes, carvings, boards and stairs.

He said the resort was expected to attract around 50,000 local and foreign tourists a year to visit the island, which was well-known as one of the turtle landing land islands in the state.

"The island is also special because it is one of the locations for a turtle species that landed last year, with 36 turtles landed with 4,515 eggs successfully collected.

"The re-development of the area will be a catalyst for the development of the local economic sector as well as add value to tourism products in the state," he told a news conference after witnessing the signing of the joint-venture agreement here today.

Melaka State Secretary, Datuk Roslan Ibrahim, represented CMI, and Chief Executive Officer of Mrails, Umeda Sentaro, signed the agreement.

Also present were Melaka Transport, Project Rehabilitation and International Trade Committee Chairman, Datuk Lim Ban Hong, and Mrails’s President/Managing Director, Datuk Muhammad Jk Noah Abdullah.

Idris said the 2.64-hectare resort was expected to be completed within 18 months and create over 100 jobs for the locals.

“Mrails will also spend about RM1 million to repair and beautify the coast around Upeh Island,” he said.