A town hall meeting on Sunday to discuss residents’ concerns about the Jelutong landfill rehabilitation and reclamation project was perhaps unfairly described as “unruly”. These were the undercurrents during the meeting that may explain the frustration of the residents.
By Andrew Han
The Residents: “We don’t want this project. We’re worried about toxic exposure, noise and air pollution from a waste-sorting-and-recycling plant built so close to our homes.”
The Fishermen: “We don’t want this project either. It threatens the Middle Bank seagrass meadows that sustain our catch and our livelihoods.”
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Their reply:
Developer’s Consultant: “Don’t worry, we can ‘mitigate’ the problem.”
Translation: The project will proceed. If issues arise, we’ll deal with them later.
Politicians: “Let’s find a win-win solution.”
Translation: I can’t oppose it. The project will proceed.
Mayor: “I’m here to listen and escalate your concerns.”
To be fair, what more can he do? He is an appointed mayor – not elected by the people. He answers to the Penang chief minister – not to us. In this situation, he is just the messenger.
So, at the end of the session, everyone left dissatisfied. What a way to ruin a Sunday!
In Penang, ‘development’ often feels enforced rather than planned with us, the people.
That is why when we hear about ‘development’ in our neighbourhood, we feel fear and not hope. Because saying no gets us labelled as “anti-development” or “selfish” – even when it is a bad development project.
Andrew Han is a Penang-based environmental activist and filmmaker.
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
Out present and past governments have lost their souls once they step into parliament. How many are for the Good of the people? Money has exchanged hands –