Melaka's Portuguese community hopes for favourable outcome on status of historic Canossian Convent, says NGO chief

The Star

21-04-2025

THE local Portuguese community remains hopeful for a favourable outcome concerning the status of the historic Canossian Convent located in Bandar Hilir, here. Save the Portuguese Community Action Committee (SPCAC) chairman Martin Theseira expressed confidence that the Melaka Chief Minister would give due consideration to the community's efforts to preserve the site, currently operating as SK Sacred Heart Canossian Convent, situated in the heart of the historic city that has provided quality education to locals for nearly a century.
'We are optimistic that Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh will take into account the long-standing contribution of the school to educational excellence and heritage,' Theseira said during an interview on Monday (April 21).
He also revealed that Bandar Hilir assemblyman Leng Chau Yen had submitted a question on the matter to be addressed in the upcoming Melaka legislative assembly sitting, which is scheduled to begin on Friday (April 25)
According to Theseira, Leng's question seeks clarification from the Melaka Land and Mines Office regarding the criteria used in determining land use rights and ownership, particularly for institutions that have long occupied and utilised the land for educational purposes, and that hold historical significance in the state's development.
The question, he said, also calls for transparency in the Land Commissioner's discretion in evaluating applications for land ownership or extensions of land use by the Canossian Convent, acknowledging its contribution to both the education sector and Melaka's cultural heritage.
"She has also enquired about the state government's plans to preserve the site, which holds deep ties to the Portuguese community and is an integral part of Melaka's identity,' he said.
Last month, the High Court in Melaka dismissed a judicial review application filed by two mission organisations contesting ownership of the land on which the Sacred Heart Canossian Convent stands.
Known as Lot 6, the site has served as a residence for the Canossian Sisters and an orphanage since 1905.
A primary school was established there in 1929, followed by a secondary school in 1950.
Theseira explained that the land was previously held under the title of the Portuguese Mission. Court documents presented by the applicants indicated that the original title deed, issued during the Dutch colonial era, had been in the possession of Catholic priest Father Alvaro Martins Corado during World War II.
"However, the deed was lost following Corado's arrest and subsequent death in Japanese captivity in 1944," he added.
Theseira stated that the first applicant in the case — the Mother Superior of the Daughters of Charity of the Canossian Institute (Malaya) — was legally established in 1957 to hold property belonging to the Canossian Sisters.
The second applicant, he said, was the Agent of the Commission for the Administration of the Estates of the Portuguese Missions in China and Singapore (commonly known as the Portuguese Mission), which was formed under a 1910 colonial statute and claimed rightful ownership of the land in question.
"The applicants had engaged in correspondence and meetings with state authorities in an attempt to secure a new title deed to replace the one that was lost,' he said, adding that SPCAC will continue to advocate for the preservation of the site, highlighting its historical and educational value.