THE EFFECTS OF COASTAL RECLAIMING

ON LIFE QUALITY
Nur Aleeza Piei, Nur Syaurah Aina Zainudin & Nur Aleeya Humaira Ramli

Centre of Studies for Building Surveying, College of Built Environment

Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam

Abstract
One of the nations that performs coastal land reclamation is Malaysia. Reclamation
initiatives are carried out in accordance with economic, social, and a range of activities,
such as tourism, facilities, and so on. A significant factor in land reclamation along the
shore is also the growth in population. In 2003, The Department of Environment defines
sea reclamation as an activity that entails filling a portion of the sea area with filling
materials such as stone, sand, and soil in order to create a new land area. To make sure
that the soil structure is acceptable and sturdy for the construction of structures and the
environment, the reclamation process frequently takes a lot of time. However, depending
on the available economic resources along the coast, the reclamation of coastal lands is
likely to have both beneficial and bad consequences on the local people. Due to the
climate in Malaysia, this journal will provide a detailed explanation of the impacts of land
reclamation in Malaysia based on a survey of relevant literature review on local and
international publications.

In Malaysia, initiatives for coastal reclamation are regulated, planned, and approved in
large part by the Department of Environment. Coastal development projects' erosion
prevention rules were authorised by the Cabinet of Ministers in 1997 (Kaparawi & Latif,
1996). This is particularly important for preserving the future shape of the land and the
built environment. The purpose of this implementation is to avoid the current eco system's
collapse and disruption. However, previous research has shown that there are both
beneficial and negative effects of land reclamation.

Keywords: local economy; construction; environment; coastal reclamation; income

Introduction
The process of enhancing land so that it is suited for a more intensive usage is
known as land reclamation. The improvement of areas with insufficient rainfall
through irrigation, the elimination of harmful elements from salty or alkaline
lands, the diking and draining of tidal marshes, the smoothing and revegetation of
strip-mine spoil areas, and similar activities may be the focus of reclamation
efforts (Michael Ray., 2022). In other words, it the process of reclaiming land
from the sea is known as land reclamation. Filling the area with massive volumes

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 THE EFFECTS OF COASTAL RECLAIMING ON LIFE QUALITY
Nur Aleeza Piei, Nur Syaurah Aina Zainudin and Nur Aleeya Humaira Ramli

of heavy rock and/or cement, then filling with clay and soil until the desired height
is obtained, is the simplest method of land reclamation. Draining submerged
wetlands is a common method of reclaiming land for agricultural use (Julián
Blasco, Peter M. Chapman, 2016).
According to United Nation 2016, land reclamation is defined as the acquisition
of land from the sea, wetlands, or other bodies of water, as well as the restoration
of productivity or use to lands damaged by human activities or harmed by natural
processes. There are two kinds of coastal reclamation. These are the peninsular
and island types. The former is a reclaimed artificial island that is separate from
the current shoreline, whereas the latter is a shore-connected reclamation (The
Uptide, 2021)
Among all the locations on earth where people have resided, the coast is the most
significant and heavily exploited (Robert Kay, 2017). The coastal area is the
primary resource for the local community, and it also has an impact on the national
economy through fishing and irrigation. There are various sorts of beaches in
Malaysia, each with its own structure and shape. These features are the most
important aspect in land reclamation. The east coast of Peninsular Malaysia is
home to hook-shaped sandy bays due to the large sediment yield from river
discharges, harsher wave environment, and coastline (Malaysia, 2018).
Meanwhile, the mild wave climate of the Malacca Straits creates vast mud
coastlines and biodiversity-rich coastal forests on the west coast. Sarawak and
Sabah beaches have similar shapes, albeit some sandy regions are relatively flat
(Barro, 2021).
This study focuses on the impacts of land reclamation on Malaysia, which is
divided into two non-contiguous territories termed West Malaysia and East
Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak), which are separated by the South China Sea
(Ahmad Rashidi etc, 2021).

Methodology

This learning focuses on the effects of land reclamation in coastal areas that affect
the economy, construction and the environment in Malaysia. Data collected using
literature review and author's reading to evaluate and make a discussion based on
the information received. An exploratory approach is used to obtain information
about the environment and the social conditions of the community in an area in
detail. This approach will allow the researcher to identify the effects and problems
that occur from the previously mentioned variables.

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Nur Aleeza Piei, Nur Syaurah Aina Zainudin and Nur Aleeya Humaira Ramli

Result and Discussion

1. Impact on the Local Economy

A) Consequences to Economy

Although reclamation has obvious economic benefits, it can also have negative
environmental implications (J. R. Ni, Alistair G. L. Borthwick, 2002). This can
be proves by Mohideen Abdul Kader, head of the Penang Consumer Association
(CAP), stated that his poll indicated that fishermen in the area were opposed to
the decision because it could endanger the ecosystem and impact their livelihoods.
According to CAP, if the project is implemented, not only will nature be harmed,
but also marine life and the livelihoods of the fishing industry. Based on the news
Sinar Harian 2022, the fishermen in coastal areas make only RM1,000 to
RM2,000 per month from catching fish and shrimp, whereas snail collectors get
RM40 to RM70 per day. This is a major worry for fishermen who seek to make a
life on the water. The majority of reclamation projects have a negative influence
on the populace and cause them to earn less money as a result of the megaproject.
Penang is one of the states affected by the land reclamation project. According to
the Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Study for the Proposed
Tanjung Pinang Reclamation and Development in Penang, the lack or permanent
loss of fishing grounds owing to the project site could have a negative impact on
the local fishing sector (Barro, 2021).
Because the distance is limited and the fish beds have been disturbed, problems
like this raise the expense of going out to collect fish for fisherman. Some
newspapers, however, indicated that all impacted fishermen would be
compensated. For example, in Georgetown, Penang Deputy Chief Minister
Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman stated that every fisherman will be
compensated ex gratia (Jusmiyati Jufri, 2021).
However, new economic enterprises and job possibilities can be created, reducing
the income source for local coastal fishermen. As a result, the initial control
procedures must be considered. The issue that fisherman would lose their source
of income must be addressed. Compensation should be thoroughly researched.
One solution proposed to address the issue is to create job possibilities for local
folks (Sosio-ekonomi et al., 2016). Residents' engagement must also be
emphasised in order to accommodate and restore life and socioeconomics in the
surrounding area.

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 THE EFFECTS OF COASTAL RECLAIMING ON LIFE QUALITY
Nur Aleeza Piei, Nur Syaurah Aina Zainudin and Nur Aleeya Humaira Ramli

B) Cultural Effect

The majority of sea reclamation projects will result in an increase in population

in the affected areas. This is owing to the influx of strangers as a result of the
continuing building. These factors will have an impact on the settlements
sociocultural. Cultural, value, and tolerance levels between locals and foreign
labour may pose issues during reclamation operations (IDRIS, 2019). This is due
to Malaysia's reliance on foreign employees in the building industry. As a result,
the ethnic and national disparities among construction workers are the primary
source of socio-cultural conflict.
According to the EIA assessment on the comprehensive proposal for the
reclamation of Seri Tanjung Pinang in Penang, the presence of a high number of
foreign employees alongside locals can disrupt the balance of culture and race in
the area, transforming the social situation there into a cosmopolitan entity (Chee
Su Yin and Sim Yee Kwang, 2016).

2. Impact in Biology

A) Destruction of the buffer zone

Wave height can be reduced 13-66% over 100m of mangroves.

Source https://www.nature.org/documents/reduction-of-windand-swell-waves-by-man
The loss of coastal ecosystems such as mangrove forests, sea grass, and mud flats
is frequently associated with sea reclamation. These ecosystems act as natural
wave energy buffers, reducing the impact of waves on coastal areas and protecting
people from flooding and erosion caused by wave action. The removal of this
ecosystem exposes coastal communities to floods and natural disasters such as
tsunamis (Malaysia, 2018).

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 THE EFFECTS OF COASTAL RECLAIMING ON LIFE QUALITY
Nur Aleeza Piei, Nur Syaurah Aina Zainudin and Nur Aleeya Humaira Ramli

Photo of Mangrove swamp

Mangrove swamps have been widely reported to help reduce the loss of life and
property damage from tsunamis by buffering the impact and dispersing the energy
from the waves as they pass through the mangrove swamps since the 2004 tsunami
that hit Southeast Asia.
According (Penang Economy Monthly, n.d.), The fishing community on Pulau
Betong, southwest of Penang, is highly reliant on the rows of mangrove forests
that grow here. In comparison to other areas that were directly hit by the tsunami,
this mangrove swamp forest helped to mitigate the impact of the tsunami that hit
the mainland.
B) Water pollution on the coast

Reclamation project in Johor. Image © Victor Barro

To some extent, pollution can be controlled, but the impact of sea reclamation on
ecology and nature is permanent. Organic matter, heavy metals, and other
pollutants dissolved in the sea as a result of dredging activities will disturb the
underlying sediments. Reclamation with dredged material can result in the release
of pollutants that harm marine life. Low water quality will affect the marine biota
in the area over time, reducing the life of fish and coral reefs. (Priyandes & Majid,
2009).
Corals that are stressed due to siltation, mechanical damage, or pollution are more
susceptible to disease. Since coral reefs are well known as a spawning, feeding,
and nursery ground for a large number of marine lives, their destruction will result
in an ecosystem breakdown.

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 THE EFFECTS OF COASTAL RECLAIMING ON LIFE QUALITY
Nur Aleeza Piei, Nur Syaurah Aina Zainudin and Nur Aleeya Humaira Ramli

Besides, the seaweed leaves improve water quality by absorbing nutrients from
land runoff and slowing the flow of water, trapping sand, dirt, and silt grains.
When bottom sediments are disturbed during reclamation projects, toxic
chemicals such as heavy metals and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are
released into previously trapped water bodies. Toxic substances released into the
environment will degrade water quality and harm aquatic life (Malaysia, 2018).

3. Physical Impact

According to Guo&Jiao, land reclamation in coastal areas may have a significant

effect on local ground water systems. This is because of wave impacts on coastal
areas are increased and groundwater intrusion occurs the destruction of important
ecosystems like mangrove and mudflats. As a result of the changing pH of the
soil, which makes it unsuitable for plant growth, especially species that are
sensitive to variations in salinity, this will have an impact on neighbouring
agricultural land. Another scenario that is possible lead to reclaimed land which
prevents natural agricultural drainage, that cause water tables to rise, leading in
seawater intrusion and increased salinity in soil and groundwater.
Some people, held the belief that the reclamation process increased the water level
in the original aquifer and caused the saltwater-freshwater interface to move
toward the sea. After reclamation, fresh groundwater resources are increased due
to increased aquifer size and recharge. The occurrence of high tides more
frequently and floods especially in upstream areas. Those are two of the most
severe effects. The issue is that these dams turn the area into a new lowland region
(Chen,2021).

4. Additional Effects

Potential environmental effects in the selected area are discussed from the
perspectives of coastal way, flora and fauna, socio-economics, and air, sound, and
water quality. Techniques for minimising environmental damage through control
and protection are reviewed. Construction and reclamation activities at the site are
likely to severely worsen air and noise pollution levels. The drawback of using a
temporary workforce is the creation of dust and particulates from equipment like
bulldozers, loaders, and scrappers as well as from excavated soil (Yasser,2011).
The residents in the area suffer from a bad psychological and physical effect as a
result. The public's health could suffer if the project takes a long time to complete
because of constant exposure to dust and debris. The main concern is respiratory,
particularly in children and the elderly.

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Nur Aleeza Piei, Nur Syaurah Aina Zainudin and Nur Aleeya Humaira Ramli

Conclusion
The practise of coastal reclamation which has been going on for a while in
Malaysia, produces valuable land that can be put to many different uses. As
example, initiatives must follow good technical procedures and pay enough
attention to any potential environmental effects if they are succeeded. Layout
planning, simulation studies, erosion protection, geotechnical concerns, sand
sourcing, and other engineering factors are taken into account while designing and
planning coastal reclamation projects.
The loss of mangroves and wetlands can harm to delicate marine habitat, coastal
erosion, and obstruction of hinterland drainage are only a few examples of the
substantial effects that coastal land reclamation operations may have on the
surrounding ecosystem. Designers and architects should take these potential
effects into mind and apply the necessary mitigation strategies, if necessary, in
order to avoid or reduce them.

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