45 NGOs back petition urging PM to cancel Penang reclamation project

Forty-five NGOs have come together today to support the petition by Penang Forum to urge Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to cancel the south reclamation project, which involves the creation of three artificial islands.

The NGOs comprising groups from Penang, Johor and Malacca and other states have witnessed the impact of reclamation on their shores, said Penang Forum member Khoo Salma Nasution.

Khoo said since its launch on May 10, about 12,000 have signed the petition, which contains 20 reasons why the project has to be aborted.

"The 20 reasons include the loss of livelihood for fishermen, negative impact on the environment, and the financial burden which will eventually be passed on to the people, to our children and grandchildren," she said at a press conference today, attended by 18 NGOs, at the Consumers Association Penang (CAP) office in Jalan Masjid Negeri.

"The people need to speak out against the project, which involves the reclamation of 4,500 acres of land, as state representatives have been told not to question the matter," Khoo claimed.

Asked about the counter petition started by another group called Anak Pinang who supported the reclamation project and the Transport Master Plan, Khoo declined to comment.

Khoo was also asked if a referendum should be called over the project as state government leaders claimed that the majority of the people supported it by giving Pakatan Harapan a big mandate at the 14th general election on May 9, last year.

To this, she replied, "In the last election, people voted against the then prime minister Najib Abdul Razak and kleptocracy but it does not mean that they voted for the whole package (manifesto)."

Last month, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow announced that the reclamation project has been approved with 18 conditions, which CAP found "shocking and disturbing".

It is learnt that development on the three islands would fund the Penang Transport Master Plan, which is expected to cost about RM46 billion.

CAP vice-president Mohideen Abdul Kader said the project should be rejected as it can no longer resolve the state's traffic woes.

"It has now become a massive development project. What we need is a good public transport plan," Mohideen said.

"But instead of focusing on a good public transport plan, the government is focusing on this massive project, which will burden us and the future generation with debts; so we don't see the rationale of such a mega project," he added.

Sahabat Alam Malaysia's representative Meena Raman said the reclamation involves massive sand mining, adding that it needed about 189 million cube metres of sand, which will be sourced from Perak.

"The project will not only impact Penang but Perak as well. Is Perak aware of this?" Meena asked.

"UN studies have shown that sand mining can cause problems to the environment. A study should be done on its impact before the reclamation project can be approved. But here we have the put the cart before the horse," she said.

Meanwhile, thousands of fishermen's livelihood would be affected by the reclamation but Penang executive councillor Dr Afif Bahardin (photo) said most fishermen supported the project.

However, he added that they were more concerned about the amount of compensation they would be given.

Ilias Shafie, who represented the fishing community, refuted Afif's remarks, saying: "How can the fishermen not protest against the project?.

"Our livelihood will be affected, so will yours, as the cost of seafood will escalate," said Ilias.

"We have supported some (of the government) initiatives as they were good ones, but it does not mean we do not protest the reclamation exercise on our shores," he added.

Fishermen's NGOs Jaring and PIFWA, Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazanah Alam Malaysia, Pertubuhan Alam Sekitar Sejahtera Malaysia, Klimate Action Utara Malaysia, Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism, Malaysian Nature Society, Aliran and Suaram were the groups which attended the press conference.  - Mkini