Umno Kepala Batas MP Reezal Merican Naina Merican (above) has upped the pressure on the federal government to make a firm stand on the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project.
Reezal said a firm stand to protest against the PSR is timely as Parliament has heard the extensive impact the 1,821ha project would have on about 4,000 fisherfolks and 1,000 aquaculture farmers.
It is believed that 4,817 inshore fisherfolk in Penang will be affected, while a further 6,080 may be impacted by sand mining in Perak.
Such concerns led to 200 fisherfolks and community to march to Parliament on July 11 to pressure Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to cancel the project.
"After acknowledging that the PSR would bring such a big impact, would the Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Salahuddin Ayub stand with the people of Penang, with the affected fishermen and the NGOs to reject this initiative by the Penang government?" Reezal asked.
"While I appreciate that Salahuddin had admitted that the PSR would have a massive impact on fishermen and aqua farmers, I would like to ask him if he would put up a protest against the project at the National Physical Council or the cabinet," Reezal told Malaysiakini.
Reezal said this morning he had asked the minister a specific question about the PSR, which involves the creation of three artificial islands and its impact on the fisherfolk.
He welcomes Salahuddin's response, which he described as "firm" as the minister admitted to the massive impact the PSR would have on the livelihood of the fishing community.
Replying to Reezal during the Minister's Question Time in Parliament, Salahuddin said the Penang government must compensate the fishermen.
His remarks comes after Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow issued a directive to the PSR fishermen taskforce to start discussions on ex-gratia payment to the fishermen.
"I was glad to hear the minister admit that the agencies under his ministry has submitted official reports to the Penang government about the impact and the negative effect the project would have on the fishing industry," Reezal said.
"Even though there is yet to be any commitment from the minister to protest against the project at this point of time, I appreciate his suggestions and firm answers, that the fishermen would be properly compensated and defended," he added.
Reezal said the federal government must pay more attention to such a gigantic project, which is supposed to finance the state's "ambitious and unsustainable" RM46 billion Penang Transport Master Plan.
He added, the life of fishermen and aqua farmers, and the environment that would be affected by the PSR, should not be taken lightly.
On whether Salahuddin has any plans to protest the project at the cabinet level, the minister reminded Reezal, a former deputy minister of Home Affairs, of the workings of the government.
"The cabinet system has its own discipline. As the saying goes, one swallow does not make a summer.
"All plans and decisions at the cabinet level are made collectively," Salahuddin replied.
Salahuddin assured Reezal that his ministry has given its views on the project, based on data and studies from experts and the fishery department. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.