The Melaka development issues debated in the Dewan Rakyat this term (since December 2022), summarised from Parliament's official Digital Hansard. Raised by MPs from Melaka and beyond, with each point linked to the sitting it comes from. Party politics is left out.
Environment & coast · 2023–2026
Coastal reclamation, erosion and fishing livelihoods
The most persistent Melaka issue raised this term. MPs for Tangga Batu, Masjid Tanah and Kota Melaka have repeatedly linked large-scale sea reclamation along the Melaka coast to shoreline erosion, silted river mouths and falling catches for inshore fishermen. In March 2023 the MP for Kota Melaka told the House the state planned to reclaim some 33 km of coastline (about 25,000 acres), including a 1,190-acre deep-sea port project. In 2024 the MP for Tangga Batu described severe erosion from Pantai Puteri and Kem Terendak to Pengkalan Balak, and questioned the changed status of the Pulau Undan, Pulau Dodol and Pulau Nangka marine park islands. In July 2026 an MP said about 1,000 fishermen along the Masjid Tanah coast had been affected, along with homestay operators and small food stalls.
Latest: July 2026: the government listed coastal protection works at Telok Gong, Alor Gajah (RM2 million) and Pantai Kuala Linggi (RM485,000).
In the Hansard (4 sittings)
Water · 2023–2025
Water security and Melaka's dams
Melaka relies on a small number of reservoirs and buys part of its raw water from Johor. After water rationing in parts of the state, the MP for Kota Melaka asked in November 2023 what would be done about the Durian Tunggal, Asahan and Jus dams, which the national water regulator (SPAN) had listed as 'high-risk'. The government clarified that the label reflected the dams' age, water levels, storage and the number of treatment plants they serve — not their structural safety. In November 2025 the MP for Masjid Tanah described Melaka as the most critical state for water supply and urged faster delivery of the Jernih off-river storage (TAPS) project.
Latest: November 2025: calls to speed up the Jernih off-river storage project and to tackle non-revenue water.
In the Hansard (3 sittings)
Flooding · 2023–2025
Flood mitigation projects
Melaka's flood-mitigation pipeline came up repeatedly. In March 2023 the MP for Tangga Batu listed the state's flood schemes — Sungai Melaka Phase 1, the Krubong retention pond upgrade, and schemes for Sungai Duyong, Alor Gajah and Merlimau — and pressed for the Krubong scheme, where flash floods affect four villages (about 250 families) after heavy rain. By November 2024 the Krubong scheme had been included in the Fourth Rolling Plan. In October 2025 the Krubong–Durian Tunggal pond, which doubles as underground water storage, was cited in the House as a model for other states.
Latest: November 2024: Krubong flood mitigation included in the Fourth Rolling Plan.
In the Hansard (3 sittings)
Health · 2023–2026
Hospital Melaka and healthcare capacity
Budget 2023 included a new women's and children's block at Hospital Melaka with 476 beds, at a cost of close to RM700 million. MPs also raised day-to-day pressures: a lift breakdown lasting more than six months in 2023, which the Health Minister said had since been resolved; and, in October 2025, a shortage of medical officers — with more doctors transferred out than posted in (fewer than 10 new postings) — straining surgery, medicine, emergency and anaesthesia, and a hybrid ICU closed. In February 2026 the Health Minister announced an invasive cardiology laboratory at Hospital Melaka, due to open in 2027.
Latest: February 2026: an invasive cardiology lab at Hospital Melaka is due to open in 2027.
In the Hansard (4 sittings)
Economy · 2023–2025
Investment, industry and jobs
Melaka's manufacturing base features in debates on semiconductors and aerospace: ministers cited Infineon and Texas Instruments operations in Melaka, and Melaka-based suppliers to Boeing and Airbus. In March 2024 an MP flagged the planned closure of Panasonic's refrigeration-devices plant in Melaka. In October 2024 the MP for Kota Melaka proposed linking Melaka to the Iskandar Malaysia growth area and creating a green-technology industrial hub; the government replied that the National Investment Council had agreed in principle to develop a Central Region industrial cluster covering Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Melaka. In July 2025 the Prime Minister cited a halal industrial park in Melaka.
Latest: November 2024: a Central Region industrial cluster including Melaka agreed in principle.
In the Hansard (5 sittings)
Economy · 2024–2025
Helicopter assembly plant at Batu Berendam
Under a December 2024 concession to lease 28 helicopters for government agencies, Weststar Aviation was obliged to partner with the manufacturer, Leonardo of Italy, to build an AW149 helicopter assembly plant at Melaka International Airport in Batu Berendam, following talks that included the Melaka state government. In 2025 MPs questioned who would own the government-funded plant, whether the Defence Ministry had been consulted first, and what technology transfer and jobs it would bring. The government described it as a business-to-business collaboration that would complement Subang as an aerospace hub.
Latest: December 2025: the government restated that Weststar is responsible for building the plant under its concession.
In the Hansard (4 sittings)
Environment & coast · 2024–2025
Waste-to-energy plant at Sungai Udang
Melaka generates about 1,000 tonnes of solid waste a day (650 tonnes from households, 350 tonnes commercial, industrial and construction). A waste-to-energy plant at Sungai Udang, originally slated to start in 2024 and finish in 2027, had not begun by early 2025, prompting the MP for Tangga Batu to ask about the delay and whether its planned ~970-tonne capacity would be enough given rising volumes. The minister replied that the concession agreement was in final negotiation and the plant was designed for 960 tonnes a day; by August 2025 completion was expected in 2029 at about RM600 million. Separately, a landfill in Melaka is among three to be rehabilitated into 'Lestari Park' public spaces.
Latest: August 2025: completion expected in 2029, at an estimated cost of RM600 million.
In the Hansard (4 sittings)
Transport · 2024–2025
West Coast highway and connectivity
In November 2024 the Economy Minister said the most practical way to improve connectivity along the west coast was to extend the West Coast Expressway from Banting to Melaka and onward to Johor, with Negeri Sembilan and Melaka planned as a development corridor linked to the Klang Valley. An MP noted the proposed alignment would pass Port Dickson, Masjid Tanah and Melaka city before continuing to Muar, Batu Pahat and Pontian, and asked for proper engagement with affected residents. The southbound coastal highway was referenced again in November 2025 as part of Budget 2025.
Latest: November 2025: the southbound coastal highway remains part of the Budget 2025 plan.
In the Hansard (3 sittings)
Tourism · 2023–2025
Tourism and the UNESCO heritage city
Budget 2023 allocated RM50 million shared between the UNESCO World Heritage cities of Melaka and George Town; in March 2023 the tourism ministry said it was still awaiting details of how the funds would be used. Melaka ran its own Visit Melaka Year campaigns for 2024–2026, and in October 2025 the Prime Minister thanked the Melaka government for hosting the launch of Visit Malaysia Year 2026. MPs also raised river-cruise tourism and the 2023 plan to gazette Pulau Undan, Pulau Nangka and Pulau Dodol as a marine park.
Latest: October 2025: Visit Malaysia Year 2026 launched in Melaka.
In the Hansard (4 sittings)
Education & skills · 2024–2026
Skills and TVET
The government rebranded the Industrial Training Institute in Melaka as the PROTON Institute, focusing on advanced automotive technology, with training, service and sales facilities and job placements with Proton and its vendors. In February 2026 the rural development ministry said it planned to train 500 modern agri-entrepreneurs through UCAM, the agricultural university in Melaka, under its AgroTVET programme.
Latest: February 2026: plan to train 500 agri-entrepreneurs through UCAM in Melaka.
In the Hansard (3 sittings)
Summaries by StartupMelaka from the official record, last reviewed 5 October 2026. Spotted something missing? Tell us.
