Malaysia's 'NEW ISLAND' and Umno-BN's SHENANIGANS IN JOHOR

Mass fish deaths including those farmed in sea cages off Tanjung Kupang recently raised questions about the governance and leadership of the Johore state government.

The cause of death of thousands of fish that resulted in the loss of millions of Ringgit, to 10 fish farms and 250 traditional fishermen are believed to result from the excavation of sand and reclamation of land activities in the area.

Kumpulan Prasarana Rakyat Johor (KPRJ) has acknowledged that the reclamation project was a joint-venture partnership between KPRJ and a China-based property company to develop a mixed development area.

KPRJ has rejected claims that the fish deaths are the result of the excavation of sand and reclamation activities. What evidence supports this? Where is the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report that should be obtained before the project started? This brings the question of whether the Department of Environment (DOE) has granted approval for this project without an environmental impact assessment report.

Generally, red tide phenomenon can occur rampantly with the presence of human activities that contribute to water pollution such as excavation of sand and land reclamation. These activities took place every day and night in the area since January 22. Obviously the activities have resulted in the phenomenon that is adversely affecting the lives of local people of Gelang Patah. The Marine Department is supposed to be sensitive about this issue.

We were informed that three vessels were involved in these activities at the same time.

If KPRJ’s claims are true that they have complied with all the regulations set by DOE and followed proper procedure in informing villagers and fishermen’s associations in Gelang Patah by getting their consent before work on the project began, then why are fish farmers not informed in advance so that arrangements can be done to minimise losses?

Do the villagers, fishermen and fish farmers were told about the negative effects of the project that could result in the reduction of fish catch and loss of millions of Ringgit?

If it is true that they were informed in detail that this project may adversely affect fish catch and in turn, their main source of income, will adequate compensation be given to those affected? We need answers to these questions.

The fishermen’s lives depend entirely on fishing and most of them inherited the profession by tradition. If their catch were to drop, the fishermen will lose their source of income and well-being affected. With the increase of cost of living due to subsidy rationalisation, tariff hikes etc exercised by the Federal Government, this will certainly further complicate the lives of the fishermen and their families.

No detailed information were given and the local people cannot even decide on matters that would affect their interests because the state government make all the decisions without any public participation or discussion with the locals.

This shows the Johore state government, Department of Environment and Marine Department do not practice transparency and there was no effort for public discussion on this project.

What happened to the promise made by former Menteri Besar of Johore, Dato Ghani Othman to guarantee sustainable development and preservation of the natural environment in the development of Iskandar region? The new Menteri Besar, Dato Seri Khaled Nordin is responsible to fulfill this promise.

Johore state government must champion the welfare of the fishermen in Gelang Patah who depend entirely on the fishing industry. Tanjung Kupang was once rich with marine life, the main source of income for fishermen and greatly contributed to the economic development for the local people.

The people of Johore has the right to demand for prosperous life and development plans that would benefit them as the rakyat of Johore instead of just benefitting selected parties.

However, now it seems like the Johore state government is more concerned with mega projects, massive developments that would only profit big companies at the people’s welfare and our irreplaceable natural environment’s expense.

I would like to quote a Native American (Cree Indians) proverb,

“When the last tree has been cut down, the last fish caught, the last river poisoned, only then will we realize that one cannot eat money.”

Dyana Sofya is the political secretary to DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang