Kelebang fishermen cry foul over Melaka reclamation project

Fishermen in Kelebang, Melaka, are up in arms over the Melaka Waterfront Economic Zone (MWEZ), saying land reclamation for the project has affected their source of income.

The residents of Kampung Pinang here said their catch of geragau, a type of krill, had reduced drastically since reclamation works began, affecting the production of local belacan makers.

Zainudin Abu, 61, said he was previously able to earn over RM1,000 in a month. However, he said the geragau appeared to have reduced in number following the reclamation works.

Zainudin, who has been fishing since he was 14, said the river mouth was also becoming more shallow due to sand sediment, making it difficult at times for their boats to even go out to sea.

He said many fishermen applied for licence renewals but had been left waiting, despite already having their boats, engines and fishing nets.

“We have everything we need, but our licences haven’t been approved. Meanwhile, fishermen who go to sea without a licence risk being detained,” he said.

Another fisherman, Musa Arif, 66, said they were not against the Melaka government seeking to develop the state, but wanted such projects to be balanced to avoid impeding residents.

“We’re not opposed to development, but don’t let these developments prevent us from making a living,” he said.

The state government’s MWEZ plan seeks to reclaim 25,000 acres (10,117ha) of land across 33km of the Melaka coastline, from Umbai to Tanjung Bruas.

It also includes a deep-sea port project involving 481ha of reclaimed land.

Local residents and environmental groups have consistently opposed the MWEZ.

In 2021, Tanjung Kling residents pushed Putrajaya to intervene and prevent MWEZ from proceeding, with an online petition garnering more than 20,000 signatures.

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