An environmental NGO, Save our Seashores Melaka (SOS Melaka) criticised Transport Minister Anthony Loke following his announcement that the government is seeking to revive the cruise terminal project at Melaka Gateway.
In a statement, SOS Melaka alleged that Loke was ‘misinformed’ about the project and invited him to a site visit as soon as possible.
"We express our disappointment that the minister has not considered the numerous views and concerns raised by the local residents and NGOs over nine years since the project started.
"For starters, Loke mentioned that the said project is almost complete.
“This is inaccurate as the Melaka Gateway project has shown little progress even though it has been reinstated by the state government in March 2022," said the group.
The NGO also alluded to photographic evidence that showed no sign of any major buildings or roads at the site.
"Based on our monitoring, it is estimated that approximately 60 percent of the reclaimed land in Melaka Gateway is not protected by any embankment, thus causing continuous erosion and pollution to the surrounding area," the SOS Melaka alleged.
It went on to claim that the Melaka Gateway project has caused major pollution to the surrounding area, especially in the Portuguese Settlement seafront.
It said that previously, the place was a thriving environment area with rich biodiversity that enabled the Portuguese community to rely on the sea for their socio-economic and cultural needs.
"Since the project started, the Portuguese Settlement seafront has been filled with thick mud and an unpleasant odour.
“The jetty is no longer accessible to fishing boats and there is little sign of marine life.
"The mudbank has disrupted the water flow in a nearby drainage, thus increasing the risk of flooding," SOS Melaka added.
The NGO then urged Loke not to merely support the developer to complete the reclamation project, but to ensure that they clean up and resolve the existing pollution before allowing any further activity in the area.
No EIA approved
"The environment minister has previously disclosed in Parliament in August 2022 that no environmental impact assessment (EIA) report was approved for the Melaka Gateway project.
"The developer and state government has not responded to this. Therefore, it is shocking that a cruise terminal license could be considered without resolving the EIA issue beforehand," said SOS Melaka.
It alleged that apart from Melaka Gateway, the state government has approved two other cruise terminals in Malacca to Yong Tai Bhd and Far East Sdn Bhd.
"All three terminals are located within the vicinity of Malacca town. The question now is how did the transport minister consider the licensing requirement for the three different cruise terminals?
“Is there a need for three cruise terminals in Malacca?" it asked.
It went on to claim that all previous governments, whether at the state or federal level, had been very accommodating to the project developer but the pleas and concerns of citizens in the past nine years were never given proper consideration.
"Local residents are not against development or the cruise terminal. What we ask for is for the development to be done in a sustainable and proper manner.
“Environmental sustainability and impact on the people must be given due consideration.
"And we hope the minister will take a different approach and consult the local residents, who are most affected by the project, before making any decision,” SOS Melaka mentioned. - Mkini
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