Reject hazardous open-air landfill waste recycling and reclamation

After our engagement with Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow recently regarding the Jelutong landfill rehabilitation and reclamation project in Bandar Sri Pinang, the Protect Karpal Singh Drive Action Committee (ProtectKarpal), representing residents from multiple residential communities in the affected area, reiterate our united objection to this hazardous and regressive open-air landfill waste recycling and reclamation proposal.

We express our gratitude for the opportunity to present our case directly to the chief minister and fully acknowledge the pressing need to rehabilitate the Jelutong landfill.

“We are grateful that the chief minister has heard our concerns directly,” said AD Chandrasekaran, the chairperson of ProtectKarpal. “His openness to alternative, health-focused rehabilitation strategies gives us real hope – if words become action.”

Key takeaways from the meeting

Chief minister’s recognition of community health risk: Chief Minister Chow expressed his willingness to explore the option of scaled-down reclamation and closed-system waste processing – rather than the current open-air plan that threatens tens of thousands of residents with toxic dust and gases.

Commitment to re-examine social acceptance of the proposed project: A fresh, independent social acceptance survey of the proposed project is now on the table – pending transparent terms of reference.

Key demands

In the meeting, ProtectKarpal, grounded in scientific evidence, social justice and civic duty, presented the chief minister with the following key demands:

1. Immediate and total rejection of the reclamation proposal
   The proposal, as detailed in both the environmental impact assessment report and scientific literature, constitutes an imminent and chronic threat to public health, community wellbeing and Penang’s fragile coastal ecosystem.

• Open-air industrial-scale waste recycling is slated to operate for years directly within residential zones, exposing tens of thousands of Penangites, including children and the elderly, to hazardous dust (PM₂.₅, PM₁₀), toxic gases (methane, hydrogen sulfide) and chemical residues.
• Chronic exposure is unequivocally linked to increased rates of respiratory, cardiovascular and neurodevelopmental disorders (WHO, CDC ToxFAQs, peer-reviewed literature).
• PLB’s environmental impact assessment report noise predictions (up to 85.3 dB(A)) far exceed both the Department of Environment and World Health Organization (WHO) safety limits, imposing a 24-year sonic assault on homes and schools and devastating the community’s quality of life.
• Noise mitigation plans are scientifically flawed and ineffective for multi-storey buildings, exposing the majority of affected residents to hazardous conditions without recourse.

2. Formal marine sanctuary status for Middle Bank
   Middle Bank is a region of unrivalled ecological significance, home to the largest seagrass beds in the peninsula and vital to local fisheries. State and academic studies confirm the risk of irreversible loss if reclamation proceeds. We demand that the Penang government honour its Penang 2030 Vision and immediately gazette Middle Bank as a marine sanctuary, implementing adaptive management for lasting protection.
3. Commit to safe, green rehabilitation – no open-air waste operations near homes
   Global best practices demonstrate that landfills can be safely rehabilitated into public parks, green corridors and even renewable energy hubs without exposing communities to toxic hazards. We demand the adoption of a scientifically robust, health-protective and community-centred strategy for the Jelutong landfill, as exemplified by cities like Seoul.
4. Commission an independent, transparent environmental and social impact assessments with full community input
   We insist on new, fully independent environmental and social impact assessments, both of which must include robust alternative analysis, direct input from environmental scientists, and direct consultation with affected residents through established community committees.
5. Ensure full transparency and release of all project documentation
   Immediate release of all agreements and documentation – including those between the state, the Penang Development Corporation and the developer – is non-negotiable. Transparent governance is the foundation of public trust and effective decision-making.
6. Comprehensive health impact assessment for all, with focus on the vulnerable
   A rigorous, independent health impact assessment is essential, focusing especially on children, the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions who face the gravest risk from sustained environmental exposure.
7. Preserve Karpal Singh Drive as Penang’s cultural and economic lifeline
   Any development that degrades this area’s function as a recreational, economic and social asset is unacceptable.
8. Reaffirmation of participatory, evidence-based and transparent governance
   The government must put the wellbeing of Penang’s residents above private or corporate interests, demonstrating real accountability to the people.

Defining legacy for Penang

Chief Minister Chow, as your distinguished term nears its conclusion, history will remember your administration’s choices at this critical juncture. You can choose to leave a legacy as the leader who protected Penang’s people, environment and future – or be remembered for permitting a hazardous, outdated and socially unjust project.

ProtectKarpal stands firm

We demand sustainable progress, not irreversible harm. We urge the chief minister to reject the harmful open-air landfill waste recycling and reclamation proposal, protect Middle Bank and embrace a safe, green and inclusive vision for Penang.

We look forward to the chief minister’s prompt and principled response to these demands, and we stand ready to collaborate on genuinely sustainable, community-driven solutions for Penang’s future.

AD Chandrasekaran is the chairperson of the Protect Karpal Singh Drive Action Committee.

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.

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