No Development Allowed On Coastal Reclamation Reserve Area In Tanjung Bidara

ALOR GAJAH, 13 Sept (Bernama) -- No permanent or temporary structural development, including tourism activities, is allowed in the four-kilometre coastal reclamation reserve area stretching from the mouth of Sungai Ayer Hitam to Kuala Sungai Tuang, Tanjung Bidara, said Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.

He said the directive was issued by the State Land and Mines Office (PTG)  as the soil structure of the new reclamation project, located about 50 metres from the original coastline, has not yet been confirmed to be stable enough to support development or related activities.

He said the new reclamation area, which is part of an RM21.56 million coastal erosion control project, is under the supervision of the State Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID), and will be gazetted as state government land.

 "The new reclamation project along Tanjung Bidara Beach is currently being carried out and is expected to be completed in September next year.

"So no development is allowed on the reserve land until further notice,” he told reporters after a working visit to the Tanjung Bidara Beach Reserve Area here today.

During the visit, Ab Rauf spent more than an hour inspecting the erosion situation and ongoing reclamation works along Tanjung Bidara. He was accompanied by State PTG director Datuk Noraini Tawel and State DID director Mohd Adnan Ahmad Fauzi.

Meanwhile, Ab Rauf revealed that 14 private or commercial assets, including chalets and homestays located along Pantai Padang Kemunting, Pengkalan Balak, Tanjung Bidara, and Sungai Tuang, were found to have been built on state government reserved land.

He advised the owners of these properties to submit applications to the state government to consider granting them temporary ownership status.

“The state government will not compromise with any party occupying state land without official approval, and enforcement action will be taken under the relevant legal provisions.

“I urge that all forms of occupation or development on government land follow the proper procedures, which include obtaining permission from the authorities in accordance with established guidelines,” he said.

Ab Rauf added that any enforcement action is not intended to burden any party but to prevent incidents such as coastal erosion that could endanger the safety of tourists and visitors.

-- BERNAMA