The Malacca government has been urged to explain why and how the Melaka Gateway project was allowed to proceed without submitting any Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report to the Environment Department (DOE).
Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong said the failure to submit an EIA report violates the Environmental Quality Act 2012 and the Environmental Quality (Prescribed Activities) (Environmental Impact Assessment) Order 2015.
“The Malacca state government must clarify how such a major project was allowed to proceed even though the EIA report was not submitted and approved.
“The state government and the DOE must immediately impose a stop-work order on the Melaka Gateway project until a full investigation and clarification are made on the status of the project’s EIA report.
“An EIA report must be submitted and approved by the DOE for any land reclamation involving a man-made island or above 50ha in size. No project should begin until and unless the EIA has been approved by the DOE,” Khoo said in a statement today.
EIA not submitted
He said he had asked in Parliament whether the Melaka Gateway project ever obtained EIA approval and the contents of the EIA report.
Subsequently, he received a written parliamentary reply from the Environment and Water Ministry, dated Aug 8, disclosing that KAJ Development Sdn Bhd never submitted any EIA report to the DOE.
Yet, the Melaka Gateway project was launched in 2014 by then prime minister Najib Abdul Razak and the then chief minister Idris Haron, Khoo said.
Khoo pointed out that the Melaka Gateway project has not only failed to deliver its promises but caused major environmental damage to the Malaccan coastline, affecting the fishing communities in Bandar Hilir and Duyong, triggering coastal erosion and disruption to the irrigation system which contributed to the increased frequency of flash floods in the state.
On top of that, it has also affected the cultural heritage of the Kristang community in the Portuguese settlement, he added.
Lack of transparency
Meanwhile, the state government recently handed the project back to KAJ Development even though they terminated the contract in 2020, he said.
“The continuous lack of transparency has caused major doubt about the integrity and viability of the project,” he added.
Khoo said he will consult with the local communities and legal experts on the possibility of initiating legal action on this issue.
“The well-being of the people and environment of Malacca should be protected, not unsustainable mega-projects,” he added. - Mkini
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