Salvar o "Bairro Português" de Malaca
Para: Exma Senhora Presidente da A.R. e Exmo Sr. Ministro dos Negócios Estrangeiros
Segundo este relato de Michael Singho, a comunidade de luso-descendentes de Malaca está em risco de ver destruído o seu espaço de sempre.
Solicitamos, por isso, a intervenção de V. Exas no sentido de encontrar uma solução satisfatória, quer para o Estado da Malásia, quer para os residentes daquele conhecido e típico local.
"The latest in the Melaka Gateway saga.
Our incessant highlighting and unwavering stand that the project should be issued a stop-work order due to the absence of a proper and current EIA and SIA report,the incompliance to the 750m separating channel for island-type reclamation projects(as stated in the 1997 macro-EIA report), and the delay in solving the fishermen's compensation is beginning to bear some fruit.
Though an official stop-work order has not been announced,reclamation works on the project are at a stanstill for the past ten days,following the CM's response that a special Committee headed by the former CM of Malacca,Tan Sri Ali Rustam has been formed to look into our EIA claims and other matters raised concerning our Community in this issue.
Still we are yet to receive any invite to voice our concerns and propose suggestions to this Committee.One of the main reasons and purposes of a stop-work order is to listen to our plight,discuss and to seek solutions to the problems.Our participation in the discussions is inevitable.We are pushing!
However there is now a new development to this 'neglect to the Portuguese interests' saga that undoubtedly add salt to our gaping wounds and insult to our injuries. The Malacca Govt.has just approved a RM 800 million coastal highway project,apparently to run along our coastline and systemetically rob us of our sea-front.How much kinder can the Malacca Govt. be?
It is either that the co-ordination is poor, the planning grossly flawed or their insensitivity touching new heights.
The Malacca Gateway project is already presenting us with a narrow 200m or so separating waterway,with another 80m (or so )provision for a 4 lane coastal highway,the channel will be reduced to just around 120m as opposed to the 750m ruling.Besides the State breaking its own rules,it is senselessly shattering our hearts besides allowing a literally rotten environmental situation to emerge with a narrow,clogged-up ,smelly,and 'dead' waterway that will stink the whole of this UNESCO Heritage site.Is the State bordering on the STUPID?
W should not lose our sea-front even for a coastal highway.We are not being difficult.We are just trying to protect and preserve the character,historical identity and cultural dynamics of our Settlement,the last remaining and culturally vibrant Portuguese bastion in ASIA.
A well educated and refined Govt. at the threshold of joining the 1st World fraternity of a 'Developed nation' status should be able to appreciate and protect this, or is it just a facade behind which hides a legion of crass,insensitive, disenlighte ned,shallow and greedy mentalities.
It is up the Malacca State Govt.to this worth now!
We will continue to pursue and fight for our interests,respect and Integrity!
Bibe Cultura cum Jente Cristang!
Muito Grande Merse!
Michael Singho
