Three Malacca MPs write to DOE, want Klebang reclamation canned
Three Malacca MPs have written to the Environment Department (DOE) to formally object to the 300-acre AJA planned reclamation project in Klebang.
The trio - Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong (above), Hang Tuah Jaya MP Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin and Tangga Batu MP Rosnah Aluai - in a letter dated Dec 24 cited findings from the project's environmental impact assessment (EIA) report to raise their objections.
In a Facebook post, Khoo shared their...
Three Malacca MPs have written to the Environment Department (DOE) to formally object to the 300-acre AJA planned reclamation project in Klebang.
The trio - Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong (above), Hang Tuah Jaya MP Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin and Tangga Batu MP Rosnah Aluai - in a letter dated Dec 24 cited findings from the project's environmental impact assessment (EIA) report to raise their objections.
In a Facebook post, Khoo shared their objection letter and also urged the public to state their objections.
According to the letter, the reclamation project did not receive approval from the National Physical Planning Board, despite being included in the State Structural Planning.
"We object views of the board Malacca Town and Village Planning Department that the board's approval is not needed as the reclamation project has been marked under the state's structural planning.
"This is because the state plans only marked a general reclamation and development site, without specific approvals given for the planned project," they said.
Must prepare macro EIA
Aside from the existing project EIA, the MPs said the Malacca state government together with project developers must prepare a macro EIA for all reclamation projects along its shores, particularly within the Malacca Waterfront Economic Zone (MWEZ).
They argued that a macro EIA was necessary in order to assess the overall impact of all projects, rather than just for each individual development.
"The environment and water minister had stated in a parliamentary response that they have not received any EIA for the MWEZ project.
"Therefore, the EIA for this 300-acre reclamation cannot be approved until a macro EIA is completed," they said.
Further, they noted the project EIA had stated that sand for the reclamation would be sourced from a location 8.6km away from the site, but there was no mention of whether approvals had been obtained to mine the sand.
Malaysiakini's check on the EIA report submitted by Konsortium Pembangunan Tanah Laut (Melaka) Sdn Bhd, as well as developers' profiles, previously found that Umno leaders are linked to the project covering 33km of coastline and eight state assembly constituencies.
Apart from concerns over environmental impacts, other issues raised include worsening floods, heritage impact, and the future of an endangered turtle species that lays eggs along the shore.
Members of the public can submit their feedback on the proposed project on the DOE’s website before Saturday (Dec 25).
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