Malacca CM downplays Umno leaders' involvement in reclamation project
Malacca Chief Minister Sulaiman Md Ali has downplayed issues involving a planned reclamation project raised by an opposition assemblyperson in the state assembly and instead passed the buck to the former state government under Pakatan Harapan.
He said that if there are any problems regarding the AJA reclamation project, the state government will work with enforcement agencies to address them...
Malacca Chief Minister Sulaiman Md Ali has downplayed issues involving a planned reclamation project raised by an opposition assemblyperson in the state assembly and instead passed the buck to the former state government under Pakatan Harapan.
He said that if there are any problems regarding the AJA reclamation project, the state government will work with enforcement agencies to address them.
“This reclamation project agreement was awarded during the administration of the former chief minister.
“If there are any issues regarding the project, the state government will continue to cooperate with enforcement agencies, including the MACC," Sulaiman (above) told the state assembly.
Sulaiman pointed out that the developer, Konsortium Pembangunan Tanah Laut (Melaka) Sdn Bhd, signed the reclamation agreement with the Harapan state government on Jan 6, 2020.
However, according to the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report on the project, the developer and the state government signed the contract on Jan 7, 2020, one day later than claimed by the menteri besar.
Sulaiman, who is the Lendu assemblyperson, was responding to Ayer Keroh assemblyperson Kerk Chee Yee's question when he was concluding the state’s budget debate.
Integrity is key to attracting investors
Kerk wanted Sulaiman to explain why companies owned by Umno leaders were awarded the reclamation project, even though those companies were suffering losses.
“This will raise controversy, and I think no one has provided an explanation, I think this will send a wrong message to our investors who are interested to invest in Malacca.
“I urge the Malacca government to explain what has been raised by media reports.
"I urge the Lendu assemblyperson to provide all details regarding contracts which have been awarded under the M-WEZ (Malacca Waterfront Economic Zone) project,” the DAP elected representative said.
However, Sulaiman did not respond to Kerk’s request for details on other M-WEZ projects.
Malacca BN had pushed for the M-WEZ mega reclamation project during the recent state election.
The project, covering 33km of coastline and eight constituencies, is expected to take up to 10,117ha (25,000 acres) of land.
The AJA project, which is planned to reclaim 121ha of land near Klebang town, is under the EIA stage.
A check by Malaysiakini on the EIA report showed that the former Malacca BN government awarded 121ha of reclamation concession areas to four companies. The agreements were signed between June 2016 and February 2017.
These four companies are owned by Umno leaders, including Malacca Umno deputy chief Mohamad Ali Mohamad, his wife Rosefouziah Salleh and former deputy exco Ghazale Muhamad.
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