The Melaka Gateway residential and commercial property project in Pulau Melaka will not be scrapped just to satisfy political demand of certain quarters, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron.
This was because the state government believed that the RM40 billion project would provide abundance economy to the people of Melaka, especially to those residing in the Portuguese Settlement in Ujong Pasir.
“The development (of Melaka Gateway) should be seen in wider context, either maintain the settlement as a museum, or develop the area so that the people will be able to benefit from it and enjoy the abundance.
“We are looking more into development which will benefit all quarters, especially the residents, and not into satisfying political demand,” Idris told reporters outside the State Assembly sitting in Melaka recently.
During the sitting earlier, several assemblymen, including Tey Kok Kiew (DAP-Banda Hilir), questioned the implementation of Melaka Gateway project, saying that it would affect the beaches along the Portuguese Settlement.
Tey claimed that the state government had promised not to redevelop the settlement, which Idris denied and challenged any DAP assemblymen to provide evidence to the claim.
Idris gave assurance that the wellbeing of the residents in the settlement, especially fishermen, would be well taken care of with the implementation of the project.
In fact, he said compensation amounting to RM1.11 million had been distributed to those fishermen since 2012.
The Melaka Gateway, spanning over 246-hectare site in Pulau Melaka, is due for completion in 2023.
Upon completion, it will have, among others, a seven-star hotel, malls, theme park, museum and largest marina in Asia and the development is expected to attract an additional 2.5 million tourists per annum over the next 12 years and create 15,000 jobs.
Farah Wahida, Editor of PropertyGuru, wrote this story. To contact her about this or other stories email farahwahida@propertyguru.com.my
