GEORGE TOWN: PAS has urged the environment ministry to revoke the approval for Penang’s three islands reclamation project, saying it will cause permanent damage to the environment and the rice bowl of fishermen in the state and Perak.
Penang PAS chief Muhammad Fauzi Yussof said the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project would affect the livelihood of about 5,000 fishermen and 500 aquaculture businesses.
In an objection letter to Environment and Water Minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man today, Fauzi said the compensation offered to fishermen was not enough to cover the losses they would incur in the next 30 years.
“Today, the total marine catches in Penang are estimated to be 51,184 metric tonnes with a value of RM555 million yearly.
“Marine aquaculture, on the other hand, is estimated to be valued at RM1.67 billion with an estimated output of 45,742 tonnes a year.
“If the project (proceeds), their revenue would be badly affected. We urge that the approval for the PSR be revoked. Since the approvals are through your ministry, we hope this will be stopped,” he said.
Fauzi said the sand mining to be carried out in federal waters three nautical miles off Perak would also affect fisheries there.
He said catches there averaged 35,000 metric tonnes worth RM250 million a year.
‘Fewer Malays in southwest district with PSR’
Fauzi also raised concerns that the three islands project would cause a shift in the racial mix of the southwest district.
He said that presently the district, spanning from Teluk Bahang and Balik Pulau to Bayan Lepas, had the highest number of Malays on Penang island at 58% out of 132,900 people according to a 2017 census.
If the three islands are created, he said, an additional 446,300 people are expected to live there.
“The number (of Malays) is expected to reduce in tandem with rapid development in this district. This includes the construction of luxury homes that most Malays can’t buy today.
“If the PSR is continued, the population will not be balanced. Take a look at the northeast district (where George Town is located), where Malays only account for about 21%,” he said.
Fauzi also said there would not be enough raw water to supply the people of these artificial islands in the long run, with demand expected to rise to about 1,884 million litres a day, based on data from the water authorities.
The PSR project will be spread over 17 sq km, with islands covering 9.3 sq km, 4.45 sq km and 3.23 sq km, to be reclaimed off the coast of Permatang Damar Laut, near Bayan Lepas, in the south.
The first island on the easternmost waters will take eight to 10 years to be ready, with the other two islands towards the west ready in 20 years.
The state government had asked for a RM10 billion federal-guaranteed sukuk bond to kickstart the project last November.
The reclaimed land will belong to the Penang government but will be auctioned off to the highest bidders to finance the RM46 billion Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP).
The PTMP envisions a series of highways, light rail transit (LRT) lines and other modes of transport to be built in the next 20 to 30 years.
The PTMP will be undertaken by SRS Consortium Sdn Bhd, a joint venture between Gamuda Bhd and Penang real estate development firms Loh Phoy Yen Holdings Sdn Bhd and Ideal Property Development Sdn Bhd.
It was approved by the Department of Environment with 72 conditions. - FMT
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