THE environmental impact assessment (EIA) report must be presented before the Melaka International Cruise Terminal (MICT) project is given the nod, a civil society group said.

Save our Seashores Melaka (SOS Melaka) is calling for greater transparency in the project and clarity on the grouses it has raised on the Melaka Gateway project where the terminal will be located.

It believes that Transport Minister Anthony Loke has been misinformed about the project as he has not taken into account the numerous views and concerns that have been raised by the residents and civil society groups over the past nine years since the project started.

SOS Melaka spokesman Chan Tsu Choong said Loke is only looking at the continuation of the cruise terminal and not the whole Melaka Gateway project.

“We are not against the cruise terminal but the grouses raised by the people here need to be addressed,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

“They have yet to resolve the issue of the EIA report and all the social issues that it (Melaka Gateway) has caused.”

The MICT involves reclamation works under the Melaka Gateway project, a mixed development that was supposed to be on four artificial islands.

The RM42 billion Melaka Gateway project was launched in 2014 by the then prime minister Najib Razak.

Work was to start in 2018 and to be completed in 2025. However, it was cancelled in 2020 by the Pakatan Harapan government.

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

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

Chan said the previous environment minister had disclosed in parliament last August that no EIA report has been approved for the Melaka Gateway project.

Erosion and pollution

Last week, Loke said the Transport Ministry is in discussion with the Malacca government to resume the MICT project, which had its investment operating licence revoked previously due to several issues.

He said the reclamation works are almost complete and there will be various negative implications if the Melaka Gateway project is discontinued.

“We have no problem supporting the continuation of this project, but we need to take into account the views of the state government,” he said.

“I have instructed Port Klang Authority officials to contact the Malacca government to discuss, in particular, the cruise terminal issue.”

Chan questioned if any feasibility study was conducted for the cruise terminal project.

“Since it is a major infrastructure, it must be supported by some form of feasibility study,” he said.

“Technical studies are also important as some areas on the coast may be too shallow for cruise ships to berth.”

The other issues raised by residents and SOS Melaka are on the 60% of reclaimed land that is not protected by any embarkment, thus allowing continuous erosion and causing pollution to the surrounding areas.

Chan said the Melaka Gateway project has caused major pollution to the surrounding areas, especially in the Portuguese Settlement seafront.

“Previously, the area was thriving with rich biodiversity. The Portuguese community relies on the sea for its socio-economic and cultural needs,” he said.

“Since the project started, the Portuguese Settlement seafront has been filled with thick mud and has an unpleasant odour.”

He said the jetty is no longer accessible to fishing boats and there is little sign of marine life.

“The mudbank has disrupted the water flow into the drainage system, thus increasing the risk of flooding,” he said.

“Instead of supporting the developer to complete the reclamation project, the minister should ensure that they clean up and resolve the pollution before allowing any further activity in the area.”

He said the authorities and developer should not bulldoze the project but address the issues that have been raised.

Chan said the developer, Malacca government, Transport Ministry and Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Ministry need to address all the issues.

“They should impose a moratorium on the project. We hope it (cruise terminal) will not be approved yet as the issues need to be looked at first,” he said.

“We will continue to play our role and oppose projects that are not sustainable for Malacca.” – March 15, 2023.