Melaka’s first turtle sanctuary?

Hawksbill turtle. Photo: Skinned Mink/visualhunt.com

I REFER to “Melaka to review host of sea reclamation projects” (The Star Online, June 5) and would like to share my two sen about sea re­clamation, coastal development and turtle conservation in Melaka.

The new Malaysian Cabinet consisting of 13 federal ministers from Pakatan Harapan (PH) was sworn in barely a month ago. The absence of a natural resources and environment minister, however, stirred up a certain anxiety among the local environmental non-governmen­tal organisations (NGOs). Although environmental protection is not one of the top 10 priorities in the first 100 days of the PH government administration, Melaka Industry, Trade and Investment Committee chairman Mohd Rafiq Naizamohideen’s decision to scrutinise sea reclamation projects in Melaka for environmental and social impacts should be applauded. It shows that PH is earnest about its promise to balance economic growth with environmental protection, as stated specifically in Promise 39 of the PH manifesto.