THE state government must explain why the Melaka Gateway project was given the nod to proceed without an environmental impact assessment (EIA) report, Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong said today. 

He  urged the state government and the Environment Department (DOE) to immediately issue a stop-work order for the project pending a full investigation into the case.

“I refer to the parliamentary reply by the ministry of environment and water (dated August 8) to my question on whether the Malacca Gateway project has obtained EIA approval, and when such approval was granted,” Khoo said in a statement today.

“Surprisingly, the minister disclosed that the Melaka Gateway project, under KAJ Development Sdn Bhd, had never submitted any EIA report to the DOE.

“The failure of the Melaka Gateway project to submit an EIA report contravenes section 34A of the Environmental Quality Act 2012 and the Environmental Quality (Prescribed Activities) (Environmental Impact Assessment) Order 2015.

“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.”

The RM42 billion Melaka Gateway project was launched in 2014 by then prime minister Najib Razak. Work was to started in 2018 for completion in 2025. However it was cancelled in 2020 by the Pakatan Harapan government. 

Recently the Barisan Nasional-led state government has handed back the project to the developer.

The deal to reclaim 550ha of land in the Malacca Straits is projected to create over 40,000 jobs, attract 2.5 million tourists yearly, and generate RM1.19 trillion for the local economy.

Khoo said the project has not only failed to deliver its promises but has also caused major environmental damage to the coastline. 

“The project has badly affected the fishing communities in Bandar Hilir and Duyong. 

“It has also affected the cultural heritage of the unique Kristang community in the Portuguese settlement. 

“The Melaka Gateway project, along with others along the coastline, has triggered coastal erosion and disruption to the irrigation system, which has contributed to increased frequency of flash floods in the state,” he said. 

The continuous lack of transparency has cast doubt over the integrity and viability of the project, Khoo said. 

Khoo said that he will be consulting the local communities and legal experts on the possibility of initiating legal action over the project. – August 17, 2022.