PN to review viability of BN's mega reclamation project if it wins Malacca polls
MALACCA POLLS | Perikatan Nasional (PN) has promised that it will review the economic viability of the Malacca Waterfront Economic Zone (M-WEZ) project should the coalition get the mandate to lead the Malacca government.
Malacca PN chief Mohd Rafiq Naizamohideen said no community should be marginalised in the name of development after fisherfolk in the state complained about their suffering caused by several sea reclamation projects.
"If PN gets to lead the state government, we will study the feasibility of this M-WEZ project, or how far it benefits not only the state but also the people, including those in its surrounding area.
"In developing our state, we must make sure that no groups are neglected, like these fisherfolk. We must ensure their welfare.
"Development projects should not compromise their ability to make a living," he told Malaysiakini in an interview.
Rafiq, who is from Bersatu, was responding to a Malaysiakini report that highlighted the plight of fisherfolk in the state who complained that their ability to make ends meet had been badly affected by several ongoing reclamation projects.
They said the projects have damaged the ecosystem and environment, driving coastal marine life away and hurting their livelihoods.
Those reclamation projects will be dwarfed by M-WEZ, which seeks to reclaim around half of the entire Malacca coastline.
Project touted in BN manifesto
BN has touted the M-WEZ project in its manifesto for the Malacca polls, positioning it as a "game-changer" for the state's economic future.
The mega project involves 10,000ha, and will cover 33km of Malacca's coastline, starting from the coast of Sungai Udang, and will extend along the coast of Pantai Kundor to Kelebang, Kesidang, Kota Laksamana, Bandar Hidir, Telok Mas, until the northern part of Serkam.
It will involve extending the Malaccan coast farther out to sea, creating large swathes of new land.
They will be developed into a harbourfront, business parks, townships and logistics centre, pushing long-time fishing villages farther inland and away from the sea.
According to Rafiq, who is contesting the Telok Mas state seat, PN will strive to ensure that justice would be done for fisherfolk.
"If we become the state government, PN will see how much this project would benefit the state and then we will make a decision based on that.
"But whatever the decision may be, it will definitely take into account the interest of the fisherfolk community from every aspect including their monthly income, and should the project be continued, the form of compensation that they should get."
The project was approved by the Malacca state legislative assembly in September, with all 11 opposition assemblypersons from PKR, DAP and Amanah voting against it.
However, they were outnumbered by 16 government opposition assemblyperson, including Rafiq, who voted in favour. One government assemblyperson was absent.
'PN followed party discipline'
Asked why he voted in favour of the project during the Umno-Bersatu government, Rafiq defended PN's participation in the decision making.
"M-WEZ was approved by the state government that was led by BN. But at that time, PN was only a minority, and all decisions were made on the basis of the majority.
"We are also tied to the principle of unity in government. There is a discipline in voting, for example, in the state assembly.
"If we vote against a policy or the wish of the majority in government, which has been decided by the state exco, then we would be seen as against the government," he said.
BN and PN will be going head-to-head in the Malacca polls, on top of Pakatan Harapan, making it a minimum of three-cornered fights in all of the 28 state seats.
In Malacca, BN comprises Umno, MCA and MIC while PN is made up of Bersatu, PAS and Gerakan. Harapan is composed of PKR, DAP and Amanah.
The Malacca polls were called following the collapse of incumbent chief minister Sulaiman Md Ali's government.
This was after two Umno assemblypersons, one Bersatu and one independent who was formerly with DAP, withdrew their support for his government.
Prior to the withdrawal, Sulaiman's government comprised 13 Umno assemblypersons, two Bersatu representatives and two independents.
Campaigning kicked off on Nov 8. Malaccans will cast their votes on Nov 20. - Mkini
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