MELAKA: A social activist has suggested that the Melaka government focuses on building proper highways, tackling traffic congestion and ensuring local fishermen enjoy bountiful catch before linking a tunnel or bridge to Indonesia.
Save the Portuguese Community Action Group chairman Martin Thesera said the state government should focus on the shortcomings in the state before going ahead with the proposed multi-billion ringgit project.
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"Is building the tunnel or bridge economically viable? Can our fishing industry be able to survive with various sea reclamation projects, and now with the tunnel project?" he asked during an interview on Friday (Sept 9).
Thesera said the state government should work towards protecting the ecology and ecosystems of the Straits of Melaka to ensure local fishermen are able to continue their livelihoods and also conserve marine as well as bird species.
"There must be environmental and social impact assessments for the bridge or tunnel project before even going ahead with it," he said.
Thesera said such a mega project would also see excavation work being carried by large machinery, resulting in water and dust pollution as well as pollutants from vessels.
On Thursday (Sept 8), Melaka investment, entrepreneur development and cooperative committee chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said a new route to link Malaysia and Indonesia – via Telok Gong here and Dumai in Sumatra – involving a distance of about 120km would be developed with the cooperation of the private sector.
He said the construction of a tunnel or bridge would take 20 years.
