Skip to content
Sahabat Alam Malaysia
  • Home
  • About
  • Programmes
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • BMBM
  • Donate
  • Archive

SAM Supports the Cancellation of Cockle Culture Project in Jasin, Melaka

  • Publication Date | January 2, 2020
  • Document Type | Media Statement
  • Programmes | Marine & Fisheries
  • Issues | Coastal Ecosystem, Fisheries
  • Tags | Aquaculture, Cockle Cultivation, Fishermen, Melaka
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp
Share on email
Share on facebook
PDF
Cockle prices at Bayan Baru Market, Penang | SAM
Cockle prices at Bayan Baru Market, Penang | SAM

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) supports the protest of coastal fishermen in Mukim Sebatu and Merlimau, Jasin, Melaka who are urging the revocation and cancellation of the approval given by the Melaka State Government for the implementation of a commercial cockle culture project here. Moreover, the Fisheries Department also did not support the company’s application based on the fishermen’s objections at the time and also because it would create a conflict between the fishermen and the company.

SAM learned that the Melaka State Government had approved the application for cockle cultivation by a private company and that a temporary occupancy license (TOL) to Swiss Tech Sdn Bhd was issued on December 9, 2016 for a 100-acre site.

SAM was informed that a survey by the Fisheries Department found that cockle spats (more than 4mm) and adult cockles were living naturally in the coastal area of Sebatu and that the Department was in the process of assessing the cockle density in order to manage this natural cockle breeding ground in accordance to the Fisheries Act 1985 

In relation to this matter, SAM had sent a letter to the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, Department of Fisheries and the Melaka State Government requesting that the objection is seriously considered and resolved promptly. SAM is concerned that if the project continues, it will not only impact the fishermen’s livelihoods but also threaten the natural breeding ground of cockles, fish, shellfish and shrimp here and hence indirectly affect the seafood supply.

On November 16, 2019, a local newspaper (Sinar Harian) reported that Kuala Sebatu coastal fishermen held a protest action and sent a letter of protest to the Melaka Chief Minister’s office urging the approval of the project in early November 2019 to be revoked. According to the Deputy Chairperson of the Sebatu Fishers, Zakariah Abu Bakar, 50, the area involved in the commercial project is the only area in Melaka rich in  natural cockle spats and adult cockles.

He said the area was also abundant with fish and shrimp. If the project goes ahead, the fishermens’ catch area will be narrowed, besides threatening the livelihoods of more than 100 fishermen here.

SAM hopes that the Melaka State Government will consider the comments of the Melaka State Fisheries Office and the Malaysian Fisheries Department to withdraw/revoke and not continue with the TOL renewal granted to the company. The State Government should take immediate action to cancel the project to save the livelihood of the fishermen in the area.

Coastal fishermen who have been contributing to the country’s economy and supplying seafood for the people should be supported and the government should not help those who exploit and threaten the natural environment.

MEENAKSHI RAMAN

President

Latest

Agriculture

World Health Day -Eliminate Health Inequities

This year’s World Health Day theme is all about eliminating health inequities. The use of toxic pesticides is a major global health issue, poisoning farmers

Read More »
April 7, 2021
Development & Planning

Sungai Kerian river bank erosion must be addressed immediately

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) urges the Penang Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) to take immediate measures to prevent further erosion of the riverbanks of

Read More »
April 7, 2021
Forests & Biodiversity

Stop peat swamp forest conversion and clearance at Mukim Sungai Panjang, Sabak Bernam for the Selangor Smart Agro Park (SSAP) project

The Coalition for the Protection of Selangor’s Forests of which SAM is a part of, released the following statement against the conversion and clearance of

Read More »
April 6, 2021
Agriculture

Proposed licensing of seeds and processing activities may deny farmers’ rights

The Malaysian Forum for Food Security and Sovereignty which SAM is a part of held a press conference today and issued the following statement against

Read More »
April 6, 2021

World Health Day -Eliminate Health Inequities

  • Publication Date | April 7, 2021
  • Document Type | Articles & Stories
  • Programmes | Agriculture
  • Issues | Agroecology, Pollution, Toxics
Read more

Sungai Kerian river bank erosion must be addressed immediately

  • Publication Date | April 7, 2021
  • Document Type | Media Statement
  • Programmes | Development & Planning
  • Issues | Development, Fisheries, Mitigation, Planning
Read more

Stop peat swamp forest conversion and clearance at Mukim Sungai Panjang, Sabak Bernam for the Selangor Smart Agro Park (SSAP) project

  • Publication Date | April 6, 2021
  • Document Type | Media Statement
  • Programmes | Forests & Biodiversity
  • Issues | Biodiversity, Conservation, Forest Conversions, Plantations
Read more

Proposed licensing of seeds and processing activities may deny farmers’ rights

  • Publication Date | April 6, 2021
  • Document Type | Media Statement
  • Programmes | Agriculture
  • Issues | Agriculture, Agroecology, Biodiversity, Certification, Seeds
Read more
Agriculture

World Health Day -Eliminate Health Inequities

Read More »
April 7, 2021
Development & Planning

Sungai Kerian river bank erosion must be addressed immediately

Read More »
April 7, 2021
Forests & Biodiversity

Stop peat swamp forest conversion and clearance at Mukim Sungai Panjang, Sabak Bernam for the Selangor Smart Agro Park (SSAP) project

Read More »
April 6, 2021
Agriculture

Proposed licensing of seeds and processing activities may deny farmers’ rights

Read More »
April 6, 2021

Testimonials

Sahabat Alam Malaysia adalah satu badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) yang telah sekian lama berjuang mempertahan kelestarian alam. Ia juga mendidik masyarakat tentang pentingnya kebersamaan dalam pemikiran dan tindakan agar alam ini dapat kita wariskan kepada generasi hadapan dalam keadaan yang elok dan terpelihara. Dalam pada itu juga SAM giat membantu golongan nelayan pantai dalam memperjuangkan hak-hak mereka sehinggalah tertubuhnya Persatuan Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Nelayan Pantai Malaysia (JARING). Nelayan pantai sepenuh masa ini dididik oleh SAM sehingga mereka mampu memainkan peranan sebagai pemimpin nelayan yang meneruskan kesinambungan memperjuangkan hak-hak nelayan pantai lainnya. Sebagai contoh SAM telah berjaya menyedarkan masyarakat nelayan keperluan menjaga hutan paya bakau untuk kebaikan hasil tangkapan nelayan itu sendiri.
Jamaluddin Mohamad Bualik
Jamaluddin Mohamad BualikPersatuan Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Jaringan Nelayan Pantai Malaysia (JARING)
During the 1980s, I used to read about the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) in the news. After retirement, some time in 2001, while lazing around, I read news about the construction of a carbon in leach plant using sodium cyanide to extract gold in Bukit Koman. My friends and I visited CAP and we were introduced to SAM and her legal team. We discussed the details of filing a case against the gold mining company and the department of environment with Ms Meenakshi Raman and her legal team. That was the beginning of a beautiful friendship between lawyers from SAM and many of us from Bukit Koman. We had many ups and downs in our struggle to shut down the gold mine that was causing a nuisance in our village. But, as a community we never gave up because SAM had our backs.
Hue Fui How
Hue Fui HowSecretary, Bukit Koman Ban Cyanide in Goldmining Action Committee (BCAC)
Sahabat Alam Malaysia adalah sebuah NGO yang memperjuangkan nasib masyarakat luar bandar khasnya. SAM menerima aduan-aduan masyarakat dan menyelesaikan masalah yang dihadapi. SAM telah mewujudkan ramai aktivis-aktivis sosial dan alam sekitar. Pada era 1980 dan 90an SAM sangat dihormati oleh masyarakat dan agensi kerajaan. Apabila media sosial menguasai maklumat maka SAM pun terkesan dan masalah masyarakat terus disalurkan dengan pelbagai cara. SAM perlu mewujudkan aktivis-aktivis pelapis yang muda untuk terus membantu masyarakat. SAM juga perlu membuat perubahan supaya banyak turun kelapangan dan jangan mengharapkan laporan media sahaja. Tingkatkan prestasi sebagaimana pada zaman kegemilangan SAM di era 80-90an.
Che Ani Mt Zain
Che Ani Mt Zain
SAM taught me the importance of social activism and the role it plays in upholding the rights of people and the protection of the environment. In my experience, SAM has never hesitated to speak up in defence of people and their environment, and has gone the extra mile to champion their rights, by helping communities take their battles to the higher ups and even to the courts.
Jessica Binwani
Jessica BinwaniPublic/Private Interest Lawyer
Semenjak kami kenal SAM, banyak pengalaman dan pengetahuan yg kami dapat. Kami telah belajar cara membuat baja asli daripada SAM. Semenjak itu, bermulalah minat kami dalam aktiviti pertanian. Dengan memperolehi kemahiran dalam membuat baja asli dan penanaman lestari, kami juga telah dapat menambahkan pendapatan sampingan kami. Ini lebih baik daripada tanah kami terbiar dan tidak diusahakan. Terima kasih SAM kerana sudi memberi bantuan dan tunjuk ajar kepada Persatuan kami.
Chedo Anak Nyuwen
Chedo Anak NyuwenPersatuan Penduduk Sg Buri, Bakong, Marudi
My journey with SAM started when her community organisers took me to the meet the paddy farmers of Kedah, connecting my growing interest in environmental law with our people who struggle to work the land in the face of pollution, replacement of traditional seeds with commercial hybrids and their accompanying chemical package of fertilisers and weedicides. I then had the honour to work with SAM in the struggle for the rights of the native communities of Sarawak, in defence of their forests from massive logging and destructive mega-projects. In every issue that SAM takes up, she combines rigorous research with the realities and voices of the communities to advocate for policies and laws that care for people and nature. From the courts to the elected legislators to policy makers and implementers and to the United Nations, SAM walks side by side with the communities in Malaysia. How can I not be inspired by the vision and passion of the generations of women and men who coalesce to form SAM?
Chee Yoke Ling
Chee Yoke Lingstudent of SAM, Executive Director of Third World Network, SAM’s sister organisation

Support our mission

Do your part for the environment with your donations. Each contribution enables our organisation to create more impact towards environmental justice.

Donate here

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Headquarters)
No. 1, Jalan Joki,
11400 Penang,
Malaysia
Tel: +604 827 6930
Fax: +604 827 6932

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Marudi Office)
129A, First Floor,
Jalan Tuanku Taha,
P.O.Box 216,
98058 Marudi,
Baram, Sarawak,
Malaysia
Tel & Fax: +6085 758 973

Sitemap

  • Home
  • About
  • Programmes
  • Resources
  • Archive
  • Donate
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Usage of the Website Content

Get the latest news

Facebook
Twitter
Youtube
Instagram

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Headquarters)
No. 1, Jalan Joki, 11400 Penang,
Malaysia
Tel: +604 827 6930
Fax: +604 827 6932

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Marudi Office)
129A, First Floor,
Jalan Tuanku Taha,
P.O.Box 216,
98058 Marudi, Baram, Sarawak,
Malaysia
Tel & Fax: +6085 758 973

Sitemap

  • Home
  • About
  • Programmes
  • Resources
  • Archive
  • Donate
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Usage of the Website Content

Get the latest news

Follow us here

Facebook
Twitter
Youtube
Instagram
Copyright © 2021 Sahabat Alam Malaysia