The Melaka Waterfront Economic Zone (M-WEZ) mega reclamation project is expected to draw billions of ringgit in investments but it could spell peril for the hawksbill turtle, which is classified as a critically endangered species.

Various coastal locations in Malaysia, including Malacca, are major nesting areas for the hawksbill turtles. According to the Department of Fisheries (DOF), at least 442 turtles landed and nested along Malacca's coastline in 2019.

The M-WEZ project is linked to two Malacca Umno leaders. Recently...