Melaka, negeri projek gagal?

Melaka, a state in Malaysia, has struggled with failed development projects, particularly before 2018 when the state was ruled by the Barisan Nasional (BN). Several projects launched during that period remain unfinished or dormant, including the Monorel train service which is no longer operational. Pakatan Harapan (PH) pledged to review these projects if given the mandate to form a new state government.

Various major projects have been problematic in the state, with the Twin Island City Centre being the first and most notable.

The Twin Island City Centre project, launched in 1996 by then-Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, aimed to build two artificial islands as a new trade hub featuring hotels and shopping centers. It was the first man-made island project in Malaysia. The first island, known as Pulau Melaka, was built by the late 1990s but remains largely unfinished, with much of the area still vacant and lacking economic activity.

The second island, never constructed, was part of the RM43 billion Melaka Gateway project introduced in 2014 to build four artificial islands, including Pulau Melaka. This RM43 billion project was designed to include a free trade zone, port, industrial zone, residential and commercial development. However, the project faced local opposition due to concerns over potential damage to marine life from coastal reclamation and underwater work.

It was scrapped in November 2020 after the contractor failed to complete required coastal reclamation within the three-year contract period. The project was revived in 2022 but with a significantly reduced scope, focusing on building a ferry terminal set to operate from 2028. KAJ Development also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority for investment and operation of the free trade zone; however, little progress has been reported since the agreement.

Arab City, another major project, is a large-scale development project in various locations within Melaka, with Phase One involving the construction of 240 commercial lots on Pulau Melaka. Initially planned to be built in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, the project was moved to Melaka at the request of then-Minister Ali Rustam. Phase One construction began in 2009 and was expected to be completed by 2012, but work halted and no significant progress has been reported since then.

Despite this, the project's website claims that roughly 70% of Phase One construction work has been completed. Updates as of 2023 indicate that the project is considered an eyesore and needs resolution as soon as possible.