We think Melaka's a real neat place. It has that bit of history no Malaysian town can lay claim and the tourism statistics are pretty remarkable. A Bernama report quotes: "In 2004, 4.0 million tourists visited Melaka followed by 4.7 million a year later. In 2006 the number went up to 5.1 million visitors followed by 6.1 million (2007) and 7.2 million in 2008. The target is 8.0 million for this year."

Cool.

Melaka's longer-term sustainable future is another matter. Much depends on the wisdom of the State government in its development plans. So far it seems headed towards exotic theme park solutions, while its native jewels like the Hawksbill Turtles await an uncertain future.

For a few years now, the Klebang coast has been drastically altered by land reclamation. Livelihoods have been threatened, and the organic patterns of human activity and nature irrevocably disturbed.

Once upon a time Klebang was dotted with fine houses of the rich. Today many are in a dilapidated state, awaiting the time their history is permanently erased.

Many have questioned this curious decision on reclaiming land at the coast.

Here's the latest from investors abroad:

(First published in Sun2Surf)

WE are four Finnish families who have fallen in love with the beauty of the Malaysian landscape and its people. After many memorable vacations in Malacca, we bought condominium units in Tanjung Kling. But in recent years, we have been devastated to see the extensive reclamation work on Malacca’s beaches.

We have seen how the immense reclamation work has damaged the environment in front of the city of Malacca, especially in Klebang. The reclamation is continuing into new areas which may destroy the shoreline fronting our condominium.

We appeal to the authorities to stop this environmental catastrophe for the following reasons:

• There is a unquestionable non-reversible harm to the ecology of the state in general, and of the area in particular.
• For centuries, the Malacca Strait has been a key element of Malacca’s historic beauty. But the reclamation has destroyed the state’s image. Many tourists have expressed disgust at the harm caused.
• The coast which is important to the whole of peninsular Malaysia should not be destroyed.
• Malaysia is a nature loving nation. How can this kind of damage be allowed?
• Sea-front restaurant owners and fishermen will lose their livelihoods, causing hardships to their families.
• Residential homes and businesses suffer from sand and dust pollution not only now but for years to come.
• Rivers are blocked by moving sand and a lot of rubbish is collected up river.
• There is no shortage of land in Malacca while reclaimed land is known to be the most expensive land.
• There are reclaimed areas in Malacca that have failed. The "Manhattan" for example is a no man’s land; neither people nor businesses go there.
• Since new reclaimed land is not stable, most businesses avoid building anything on such land.
• Existing sea-front condominiums have hundreds of unsold units, many have not been completed, and there is no demand for new condominium sites.
• There is another environmental damage to be considered – the source of all the sand that is dug up to be shipped to Malacca

Most importantly it is an environmental catastrophe. This kind of work cannot have had a proper environmental study and approval. Who or what is behind this historical damage to the ecology?

Once again, we appeal to the authorities to do whatever possible to stop the ravage of the once fabulous Malacca coast.

Unhappy Investors
Malacca

Picture 1 / Chikong

Pictures 2 & 3 / Suatu Ketika