‘Penang DOE approves Silicon Island's management plan’

The Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for Penang's “Silicon Island” project obtained official approval from the Penang State Department of Environment on July 21, said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.

This is a follow-up to the approval of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIA) for the Penang South Island (PSI) project - which was given approval with 71 conditions attached by the central Department of Environment (DOE) in April.

In a statement today, Chow expressed his appreciation for the evaluation and approval of the EMP.

"The decision is the result of cooperation and joint efforts to ensure that the development of 'Silicon Island' complies with the environmental and safety standards of the local community.

“We also thank all parties that have contributed views in drafting this EMP.

"With the approval of the agencies involved, the preparatory works for the project will begin on Sept 1 (today) and continue until related works are completed," said Chow.

Ex-gratia payments

He added that in line with the state government's commitment to making ex-gratia payments to the fishing community affected by the project after EMP approval, 75 percent of the ex-gratia payment will be credited in phases starting today - while the remaining 25 percent will be paid off in early next year.

"Payments will be made in phases, taking into account the scope of the PSI project which has been reduced to an island, compared to the previous initial planning.

"The development of the 'Silicon Island' project is designed based on environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles and is expected to become a leading technology centre in the region, opening up new job opportunities by injecting lasting economic benefits to the locality.

"To begin with, a total of 600 sea and land-based job opportunities will be offered over the next 18 months. Priority will be given to fisherfolk and local residents," said Chow.

‘Regretable decision’

Meanwhile, the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) and Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) appealed to both the federal and state governments not to proceed with the project.

"We deeply regret to learn that the state government will work on the project starting today.

"We wish to know if the state government has obtained the planning permission to commence the project under the Town and Country Planning Act 1976. This is a legal requirement which needs to be followed.

"Legalities aside, we are appalled that the Madani government is proceeding with the project despite concerns and objections raised by fisherfolk including Pen Mutiara, the official fisherfolk's association and the Persatuan Nelayan Kawasan Selatan Pulau Pinang (PNKSPP) and all units of the fisherfolk villages here," they said.

Consumers’ Association of Penang president Mohideen Abdul Kader

The statement is jointly signed by CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader and SAM honorary secretary Mageswari Sangaralingam.

"The fisherfolk community have challenged EIA’s approval but no hearing date has been fixed until now by the Appeal Board set up under the Environmental Quality Act, 1974.

"The scaling down of the project from three islands to one island has not allayed our concerns and those of the fishing community.

“This project is not needed as we have argued many times that land on the mainland is more than sufficient for any expansion of economic activities," they said. - Mkini