GEORGE TOWN: A coalition of 40 Muslim interest groups is planning to protest this Sunday against the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project in hopes of reaching a compromise on the matter with the state government.
Ummah Pulau Pinang chief Mohd Akhir Che Mat said the purpose of the rally is to defend the rights of some 5,000 fishermen who claim their livelihoods will be affected by the PSR project.
The PSR is a state government initiative to finance the RM46 billion Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) through the reclamation of three islands covering 4,000 acres of land off Permatang Damar Laut.
Akhir said the groups understood that the project had already been given approval, but that they nonetheless hoped to change the authorities’ minds.
“We are not against development, but we want the PTMP to be reviewed and the reclamation project to be called off altogether.
“We want PTMP to be reviewed so that the projects move people, not cars,” he said in a press conference here today.
He added that a compromise appeared to have been reached in a recent meeting between PKR president Anwar Ibrahim and Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
“We know it has been approved, but we feel there is room to review the project. That is why Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad sent Anwar to speak to the fishermen,” he said.
During the meeting which took place last month, Anwar and Chow had received a briefing on the PSR project. Chow then said the state would consider scaling down the reclamation projects if Putrajaya agreed to fund the LRT and Pan Island Link 1 highway.
Akhir said he expects over 5,000 people including opposition leaders from Umno and PAS to attend the protest, which will be held at the Permatang Damar Laut field.
“We have gotten a good response from the police and we hope to get a permit from them soon,” he added.
“We will continue fighting all the way until the next election if needed.” - FMT
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