Natural resources, environment and climate change minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said the EIA report for the project approved in May this year did not involve the construction of a cruise terminal, hence there was a need for a revised document.

“The cruise terminal development concept was dropped, following written comments (about the terminal) from the Melaka chief minister’s department,” he said in a written parliamentary reply to Khoo Poay Tiong (Kota Melaka-PH).

Pulau Satu is the first of four artificial islands under construction for the Melaka Gateway project, which is slated to include a mixed development of residential, commercial, cultural, entertainment and lifestyle elements.

In September, KAJ Development Sdn Bhd executive chairman Daing A Malek Daing A Rahaman said approval had been obtained from the federal government and Melaka state authorities to resume the project.

Following Daing A Malek’s announcement, Malacca Portuguese-Eurasian Association president Michael Singho told KAJ Development to obtain a fresh EIA.

Singho said a new report is necessary to identify the project’s impact on the shoreline, where many fishermen from the community earn their livelihood.