Fisherfolks challenges DOE decision to approve Penang reclamation project

The Sungai Batu Fishermen Association has filed an application at the Appeals Board to challenge the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approval of the Penang Southern Reclamation (PSR) project.

Sahabat Alam Malaysia president Meenakshi Raman said the appeal was targetted at the Department of Environment (DOE), under the Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Ministry, which granted the EIA approval, albeit with 72 conditions.

Meenakshi, who is assisting the fisherfolks in this public interest case, said the group is awaiting a date for the hearing.

"The application is an appeal to the Appeals Board set up under the Environmental Quality Act challenging the approval of the PSR by the DOE," Meenakshi told Malaysiakini.

Spanning 1,820ha, the reclamation involves the creation of three artificial islands which will be developed and partly sold to cover the cost of the Penang Transport Master Plan.

Penang fisherfolks have opposed the project and are calling for it to be totally scrapped, claiming that it will affect their livelihood.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has formed a task force to negotiate ex-gratia payment for those affected by the reclamation.

He was willing to scale down the project if the state receives federal funding to implement it.

Meanwhile a local NGO, Penang Ummah is planning a rally against the PSR on Sunday, from 1pm-5pm, at Permatang Damar Laut, Bayan Lepas.

Penang Ummah chairperson Mohd Akhir Che Mat said the rally was necessary after fisherfolks submitted memorandums and protested against the project outside Parliament in July.

"Our protest has all fallen on deaf ears," Mohd Akhir said at a press conference.

Ummah consists of about 40 NGOs in Penang, who are mostly involved in religious and socio-economic issues.

"We anticipate a big crowd of 5,000 people this Sunday. We have listed down several demands which we hope the government will consider," he said.

"We need to review the state's development plans. We are not against it, but we must be wise in carrying out the projects as we do not want to end up burdening future generations with too much public debt," he added. - Mkini