SEREMBAN – The Negri Sembilan government will object to the construction of the RM15 billion Kuala Linggi International Port (KLIP) project in Kuala Linggi, Melaka if it does not comply with the environmental impact assessment (EIA).
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun said that this was to ensure that the project did not cause problems for Negri Sembilan in the future.
“If it will have a bad effect on the state, we will protest without compromise on the matter. They have to pass the EIA before we will agree.
“Basically, we have no problem with it if they want to build a port or whatever, as it is done on their (Melaka) land. What we don’t want are problems in the future such as an impact on fishermen and soil erosion in Negri Sembilan,” he said.
He said this to reporters after chairing the weekly exco meeting at Wisma Negeri near here today.
He also said that, based on the initial findings of the EIA report that show turtle and crocodile roaming areas in Kuala Sg Linggi being affected, the parties involved need to think about how to avoid the problem.
“It is crucial to ensure that turtle and crocodile populations are protected. In addition, fishermen near the project should also be given attention, even if they are under Negri Sembilan.
“The compensation given to fishermen in Negri Sembilan should be the same as that given to fishermen in Melaka. However, I am confident that the Melaka government will look into these factors and take the EIA report into account,” he said.
Aminuddin said that the Melaka government should be sensitive to this matter because it involves the state border, and it should follow all of Negri Sembilan's stipulations to ensure good border relations between the states.
On February 24, the Environment Department posted the EIA report on its Facebook page. Members of the public can express their views by submitting feedback before March 25.
On July 29 last year, the Melaka state government allocated RM5.4 million worth of compensation for 185 fishermen in the Kuala Linggi state constituency for the construction of KLIP.
Linggi Base Sdn Bhd, as the project developer, will reclaim 250.9ha of sea. It is currently developing KLIP’s facilities and infrastructure. – Bernama, March 10, 2021
