‘Best compensation package’ for fishermen affected by Penang’s 3 islands project

Penang’s fishermen worry that the three islands reclamation project will affect their livelihood.

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government today said it would offer the best compensation package for fishermen affected by the three islands reclamation project.

The chief minister’s office said the state fishermen’s taskforce had come up with a draft of the proposed compensation as early as October last year.

It said the scheme, which is part of the Social Impact Management Plan, has been referred to the Penang Fishermen’s Association for further discussion.

As part of the scheme, it said, the fishermen would receive ex-gratia payments, housing benefits and job opportunities through skill training and education.

The office said details of the scheme have also been sent to the Fisheries Industry Development Board for deliberation. It said it has engaged all the fishermen affected by the project since 2015.

“The state government has appointed Deputy Chief Minister Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman as the head of the fishermen’s task force to further lead the efforts (in finalising the scheme),” it said.

The office also said it was committed to carrying out an ecology offset programme for the reclamation project. - FMT