Home Civil Society Voices Penang’s mega-reclamation: Don’t jump the gun! Wait for outcome of fishermen’s appeal

Penang’s mega-reclamation: Don’t jump the gun! Wait for outcome of fishermen’s appeal

This project will have a negative impact on the marine ecosystem, the fishing sector and the livelihoods of fishermen and others

Zakaria Ismail is the head of the Sungai Batu fishermen's unit - ANIL NETTO/ALIRAN

Follow us on our Malay and English WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, Tiktok and Youtube channels.

Sahabat Alam Malaysia was surprised to read a media report quoting Gamuda Bhd as saying that the “Penang South Reclamation” project will begin on 1 July. This is because the fishermen’s appeal has not yet been heard and decided.

On 25 May the Penang State Fishermen’s Association (Pen Mutiara), the South Penang Area Fishermen’s Association and Zakaria Ismail, on behalf of the Sungai Batu fishermen’s unit, filed their notices of appeal to the Appeals Board under Regulation 3(1) of the Environmental Quality Regulations (Appeal Board) 2003.

They are challenging the conditional approval of the environmental impact assessment report entitled “The proposed reclamation and dredging works for the Penang South Reclamation (PSR)” (Revision 03) dated March 2023.

The director general of the Department of Environment had approved with conditions the report in a letter dated 11 April to the project proponent and this approval was announced by the Penang chief minister on 26 April.

The state government should await the outcome of the fishermen’s appeal and respect the legal process.

In addition, one of the conditions for the approval of the environmental impact report is that an environmental management plan must be submitted and approved by the Penang’s Department of Environment before any development work on this project begins. We are not sure if this report has been completed and received approval.

The project proponent must disclose to the public whether all the conditions for the approval of this environmental impact assessment report have been met.

We regret that the project proponent still intends to continue with this project, which will have a negative impact on the marine ecosystem, the fishing sector and the livelihoods of fishermen and others who depend on this coastal area. – SAM

READ MORE:  Look What They've Done to the Sea (off Straits Quay), Ma

Mageswari Sangaralingam is honorary secretary of Sahabat Alam Malaysia

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
  1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
  2. Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
  3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
  4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
  5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
Support our work by making a donation. Tap to download the QR code below and scan this QR code from Gallery by using TnG e-wallet or most banking apps:
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x