Map of M-WEZ project.
(Source: M-WEZ Project)

According to the project proposed on the M-WEZ website, it stated that the project potentially requires the reclamation of 25,000 acres along 33 kilometers of Malacca’s coastline from Umbai to Sungai Udang that will be a game-changer up to year 2035 in Malacca.

Syafiq Afifi, a local resident who actively voiced his concerns about the reclamation project on social media, believes that any development project might have its benefits.

“In this case, it should be implemented somewhere else instead of beaches because Malacca has an abundance of undeveloped reclaimed land and land that is more than adequate for construction,” he explained when contacted by one of the Berita DIMENSi’s members via WhatsApp.

The project may be a catalyst of economic development in the Malaccan state but the public questions the aim of the project that affects environmental sectors especially, on the coastal ecosystem.

Coastal reclamation impacts.
(Source: Utusan Malaysia)

“Malacca's eroded beaches have increased as a result of the reclamation, and Malaccan’s might lose their beautiful seaside due to continuous development projects,” he added.

According to Syafiq, this reclamation project also affects the marine ecosystem, which can cause disorientation in animal productivity because animals are unable to adapt to environmental changes.

Malacca’s Signature condiment, cencalok.
(Source: Berita Harian / Muhammad Zuhairi Zuber)

“The reclamation project can cause extinction for some food resources such as fish, squid, and shrimp, and the fishermen will travel even further and risk their lives to find seafood,” he said.

Following the reclamation project, the result of the project will cause environmental destruction as it is expected to threaten biological diversity.

Malacca has been experiencing floods, which might harm Malacca's development as a heritage landmark and could lead to the loss of homes, public property, and necessities as a result of the inundated areas.

Amirah Rosli, 28, a Malacca resident, said that when she was young, Malacca was never flooded and Pantai Klebang still had a beautiful seaside where people could enjoy, when interviewed by Berita DIMENSi via WhatsApp.

“Since Malacca's reclamation project was conducted, Klebang areas have more land and sand instead of the sea,” she said.

When asked about the implications of reclamation on the community, Amirah said that reclamation will affect tourism attractiveness as people have lost the desire to come to Malacca, even though Malacca is a remarkable city that has historical values and stories.

“It is because the sea was the pearl of Malacca and the way we protect our sea shows how we express our gratitude towards preserving environmental life,” she added.

Development projects undoubtedly provide the opportunity and assistance to enhance community lives through cross-functional projects such as construction or reconstruction.

The question is how the industries sustain the goals of development while not harming and worsening the ecosystem such as Malacca's reclamation projects that can affect coastal environments.

Indeed, revaluating the check and balance of this project in overall sectors is required as the implementation will impact overall marine life sectors, including local people who depend on the sea, as the government will reconsider not carrying out any further reclamation.

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