Malacca deep-sea port: MP objects to 'white elephant' project

 

Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong wants the Environment Department (DOE) to reject a proposed deep-sea port city offshore of the central district of Malacca.

He said the state did not need another troubled reclamation project.

“The residents don’t object to development but we are opposed to unsustainable development.

“Before this, Malacca had several major reclamation projects but many failed and were problematic.

“The best example is the Malacca Gateway project which has become a white elephant that pollutes the environment,” he said in a statement today.

Khoo (above) said this after joining civil society organisations and members of the public in submitting their objections to the project to the DOE.

Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported that Far East (Melaka) Sdn Bhd submitted an environmental impact assessment (EIA) report on Dec 21, 2022, proposing to build a port and cruise terminal covering 1,190 acres (481.5 hectares or 899 football fields) at the water near the Malacca Central district.

The plan is divided into two parts - the first part is to build a “Deep-sea International Multi-purpose Port” near Alai. The blueprint of the EIA report shows that a liquid and gas terminal, a bulk cargo jetty, and a container wharf will be constructed at the deep-sea port.

The second part is to build a 50-acre (20.2 hectares or 37 football fields) international cruise terminal near Pulau Melaka.

The EIA showed that if built, the project will disrupt marine ecology, heavily reduce the fish catch, and impact Malacca's fishing industry.

The impact on the environment and fishing industry were key reasons cited by Khoo for his objection.

“This doesn’t just involve the fisherfolk, but the food security of Malacca.

“It will be no surprise if fish prices skyrocket after this,” he said.

He added that the project itself made “no sense” and that there was no solid reason for its need.

He said Malacca already has two ports, including the Kuala Linggi International Port and that there were several other ports along the Malaccan straits in neighbouring states.

Khoo urged others to speak up and voice their objection to the project to the DOE. - Mkini