Malacca Reclamation Project Approved But Might Not Fit National Plan

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The Ministry of Housing and Local Government has agreed in principle for the massive Malacca Waterfront Economic Zone (M-WEZ) project to be carried out.
However, the mega land reclamation project might violate the criteria listed in the National Physical Plan 4 (RFN4).
On Wednesday, Housing and Local Government Deputy Minister Ismail Muttalib stated that the National Physical Planning Council (MPFN) made the decision for the project to proceed on July 5, 2021, in a meeting.
The council then approved RFN4 on Oct 21, 2021, which ruled that reclamation activities only allowed for two types of development:
1) Development of infrastructure which concerns national interests, for instance, port, airport, sea embankment and power station;
2) Developments that concern safety and national security.
Meanwhile, MPFN listed other conditions for M-WEZ developers, including the requirement for reclamation projects not to impact heritage sites, not blocking the views between the sea and heritage sites, and ensuring the development projects will benefit local communities.
The developers are required to submit various reports and get approvals, including environmental impact assessment (EIA), social impact assessment (SIA), marine risk assessment, fisheries impact assessment, sewerage development plan and hydrodynamic study.
Ismail was responding to Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong's question in Parliament's special chamber session.
Under review
According to M-WEZ's website, it plans to take up 25,000 acres of land, which is double the area of Putrajaya, to be divided into five sections.
The proposed projects include a harbourfront, logistics hub, commercial and housing areas, an entertainment and recreational park as well as a shopping mall.
Meanwhile, the 300-acre Project AJA, under the M-WEZ blueprint, plans to build housing and commercial areas, harbourfront and yacht facilities.
Both M-WEZ and Project AJA don't seem to fit the two development types listed in RFN4.
The Project AJA's EIA report is currently under review by the Department of Environment (DOE).
Khoo also questioned why Project AJA did not receive prior approval from MPFN as requested by the National Physical Plan 3 (RFN3).
Ismail explained that MPFN initially decided to "be postponed until some matters are reviewed" on May 6, 2021.
The application was conceptual and did not submit EIA as well as SIA reports, the Umno Maran MP said.
However, after "taking into account comments, advice as well as views", MPFN decided to approve the reclamation project proposed by the Malacca Umno-led state government.
Macro EIA
Besides, on Tuesday, Khoo told the Department of Environment (DOE) there is a need for the Malacca state government and developers to prepare a macro EIA.
EIA reports of reclamation projects under the M-WEZ blueprint were submitted separately and therefore, the overall environmental impact remains unknown, the DAP lawmaker said.
DOE's response was read out by Human Resources Deputy Minister Awang Hashim. However, he did not address the question raised by Khoo.
Awang Hashim said that from 1999 until now, 11 reclamation projects located in the M-WEZ area had been approved, covering 1,091.72 hectares (about 2,698 acres) of land.
In other words, 89 percent of the land is yet to be reclaimed under the 25,000-acre M-WEZ project.
Malaysiakini previously reported that Umno leaders are linked to the AJA reclamation project.
Companies under Malacca Umno deputy chief Mohamad Ali Mohamad and former deputy exco Ghazale Muhamad own the concession areas under the proposed project.
Apart from concerns over environmental impacts, other issues raised include worsening floods, heritage impact, and the future of an endangered turtle species that lay eggs along the shore. - Mkini

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