Stop 481ha Malacca reclamation project, environment at risk - groups

A total of 26 organisations have urged the proposed development of a deep-sea port at Malacca’s shoreline to be stopped, citing major impacts on the natural environment there.

The organisations, which include the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) and Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM), said in a joint statement today said the project is on a fishing zone, mangroves, and a marine park.

“The 1,190-acre (481.5-hectare) reclamation project is among the largest in Malaysia and would inevitably destroy the natural environment along Malacca’s coast.

“The site of the proposed project is an Environmental Sensitive Area (ESA), consisting of the main fishing zone, mangroves, and a gazetted marine park (Pulau Besar).”

The groups were referring to an environmental impact assessment (EIA) report submitted by Far East (Malacca) Sdn Bhd last year which Malaysiakini recently reported on.

The EIA report by the company was to propose the development of a port and cruise terminal covering 481.5ha, or 899 football fields, at the water near the Malacca Central district.

They added that the deep-sea port is part of a larger project - the Malacca Waterfront Economic Corridor (M-WEZ) - which seeks to reclaim 25,000 acres of land (1,011.7ha) across 33km of the entire Malacca coastline.

“Such reclamation projects are often promoted in the name of ‘development’, but past experiences have shown they are unsustainable,” the groups said.

In the statement, they cited the Malacca Gateway project as an example of unsustainable development. The project was launched in 2014 by then-prime minister Najib Abdul Razak and chief minister Idris Haron.

“The project promised to bring in RM43 billion in investments and create 15,000 jobs. However, today, the project has largely been abandoned while leaving major pollution in the vicinity,” the organisations added.

Last August, the Malacca state government was urged by Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong to explain why and how the Malacca Gateway project was allowed to proceed without submitting any EIA report to the Environment Department (DOE).

Furthermore, the groups said building a new port in Malacca was “illogical” as there are already two existing ports, the Tanjung Bruas Port and Kuala Linggi International Port, and other major ports along the Strait of Malacca, such as Port Klang and Singapore Port.

They stressed that since Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s “Malaysia Madani” vision included sustainability as part of the country’s development, all parties should reassess mega projects and cancel the reclamation project that does not “prioritise the interest of the people and environment”.

“Malacca’s coastline is a rich biodiversity area that plays an important role in the local ecosystem and food chain. The coast is also a key turtle landing area, including for the critically endangered Hawksbill turtle,” the organisations concluded.

The 26 organisations who endorsed the statement were:

1. Gabungan Selamatkan Pesisir Pantai Melaka (SOS Melaka)

2. Agora Society Malaysia

3. Bahagian Belia Dewan Perhimpunan China Melaka (Belia DPCM)

4. Bendahari

5. BHES/MHS 1962-1974 Old Boys

6. Forum Kedaulatan Makanan Malaysia (FKMM)

7. Global Human Right Foundation Malaysia

8. GRASS Malaysia

9. Jaringan Ekologi Dan Iklim (Jedi)

10. Kelab Kasiredah Tranquerah

11. Malacca Portuguese-Eurasian Association

12. Malaysian Nature Society (MNS)

13. Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture (Madpet)

14. Mataburung.com

15. Melaka In Fact

16. Melaka Public Policy Club

17. Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM)

18. Penjejak Kurniaan Purba

19. People Like Us Support Ourselves (Plusos)

20. Persatuan Aktivis Sahabat Alam (Kuasa)

21. Persatuan Amal Kemanusiaan Malaysia

22. Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazanah Alam (Peka)

23. Pertubuhan Rangkaian Pembangunan Kesinambungan Malaysia (Susden Malaysia)

24. Save Malacca Portuguese Community Action Committee

25. Sungai Project

26. Treat Every Environment Special (Trees)

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