In a Facebook post, Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong said the residents were not against development but they did not want “unsustainable” development.

“Previously, Melaka had carried out many sea-reclamation projects but many were unsuccessful and had problems,” he said, citing the Melaka Gateway project which had since become a “white elephant”.

The Melaka Gateway mixed development project was supposed to involve four artificial islands with residential, commercial, cultural, entertainment and lifestyle elements. It was also envisioned to have the largest private marina in Southeast Asia by 2025.

Khoo also said the new project would destroy important fishing grounds in the state and impact the fishing industry.

“This not only concerns the fishermen, but also the state’s food security. It is no wonder that the price of fish is getting higher,” he said.

Khoo said the two existing ports in Melaka – Tanjung Bruas Port and Kuala Linggi International Port – must be taken into consideration.

“There are also other major ports near Melaka, such as Port Klang, Tanjung Pelepas, Singapore Port and Maharani Gateway,” he said.

Khoo said another item highlighted in the environmental impact assessment (EIA) was the effect on traffic flow as the proposed port would be located on the coast of Melaka with its main exit and entrance being Alai Perdana.

“Therefore, traffic congestion will not only happen around Alai, but the entire city of Melaka because logistics vehicles will have to use the main highway,” he said.

Yesterday, 26 civil society organisations called for the proposed deep-sea port project to be cancelled as it would be located in a sensitive area.

They said the 481ha reclamation project involved an environmentally sensitive area where a main fishing zone, a gazetted marine park and mangroves were located.