'One island is enough!' - several hundred at rally against Penang reclamation project

Penang Speakers Square at the Esplanade was a colourful sight today as several hundreds gathered to show solidarity with fisherfolks affected by the proposed reclamation in the southern part of the island.

Led by filmaker Andrew Han, shouts of "Long live the fishermen", "Reject fake Islands" and "Reject reclamation" were heard during the rally, which was attended by activists, NGOs like C4 (Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism), fisherfolks from Penang, Kedah, Perlis and Perak, university students, and observers.

During her speech, Penang Forum spokesperson Khoo Salma said, "We have to fight the reclamation till the end."

"The reclamation involves development on the island, not in Seberang Perai (mainland). You are like a stepchild (dianaktirikan)!" She cried.

"Soon your cucur udang and char koay teow will not have prawns as the reclamation will affect the seafood supply," she added.

"This project will only benefit the rich businesspersons, developers and their political friends," she warned.

"They will become richer while the fishermen and fishes will be extinct!"

Consumers Association Penang president Mohideen Abdul Kader said fisherfolks are a very important community, but they will be "destroyed" by the reclamation project.

"We cannot let that happen. Let's fight this to save our fisherfolks," Mohideen said.

He said the seas are currently contaminated by chemicals which can lead to cancer.

"Even those sitting at the state assembly nearby will be affected by cancer," he claimed.

The rally is planned from 10 to 2pm, and a memorandum on the fisherfolks plight will be submitted to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow at the nearby Dewan Sri Penang.

Today there is a one day boycott of the seas by the fisherfolks to raise awareness of their plight, in the wake of a 1,820ha reclamation project, which involves three artificial islands in the south of the island.

The reclamation project will create land that will be developed and sold to cover the cost of the state's ambitious Penang Transport Master Plan.

In July, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had received a memorandum from the fisherfolks in Parliament, while Penang Governor Abdul Rahman Abbas received it at his residence in Penang.

Housing and Local Government minister Zuraida Kamaruddin was also given the memorandum at the 7th Asia Pacific Urban Forum in Penang. - Mkini