A Pakatan Harapan deputy minister has dismissed a master plan competition organised by SRS Consortium for the development of three man-made islands under the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project.
Speaking to reporters at his service centre in Sungai Dua today, Agriculture Deputy Minister Sim Tze Tzin said the competition "did not mean anything".
He said the company could go ahead with its plans but "ultimately, the government decides. The company can organise a competition every three months, no problem," he added.
Sim admitted that he had met SRS Consortium - the state's project delivery partner - several times to discuss the project.
He said he understood their arguments to go ahead with the massive PSR project but preferred to listen to all sides first as the state cannot make any decisions based on one view.
Sim was asked to comment about a Bernama report yesterday which quoted SRS Consortium project director Szeto Wai Loong as saying the company would finalise details for the competition with the Penang government.
Sim said the federal Department of Town and Country Planning would also be consulted the details were announced to the public by the end of this month.
Sim said the master plan competition was open to international planners and local teams or collaborations of both.
Claiming this to be his personal opinion, Sim said as a Penangite, he agreed that the state was in need of a light rail transit system and a proper transport master plan but these could be done in phases.
He praised Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow for agreeing to seek alternative funding and to review the scale of the reclamation project.
His remarks follow PKR president Anwar Ibrahim who met Chow on Jul 25, saying he was impressed the latter was willing to consider scaling down the project if the state obtains federal funding.
"He (Chow) sent a positive message that the state government is willing to listen to public opinion and alternative solutions," Sim said.
"The question is how to solve the PSR matter. My personal opinion is that we must exhaust all options, obtain federal funding, it could be via samurai or panda bonds to pay for the PTMP," he added.
"If all other options fail, then only implement the PSR. But the state must exhaust all options. I know they have really tried," Sim said.
Describing it as a "big step forward", Sim said Chow had already written a letter to Putrajaya seeking federal funding for the PTMP.
He added, as a Penangite, he viewed the reclamation as a serious matter as its implementation would hugely impact the livelihood of fisherfolks and seafood breeding grounds including mudflats which have abundant marine resources.
The fishing community and environmental NGOs have called for the project, which spans 1,820ha in Teluk Kumbar, to be aborted.
Chow has set up a task force, headed by state executive councillor Dr Afif Bahardin, to discuss compensation issues with the fisherfolks.
Last month, the Penang government obtained approval for the PSR project EIA report from the Department of Environment. - Mkini
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