An NGO which supports the controversial Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project has vehemently denied that it was funded by the state government to promote the project.
The project also involves the creation of three artificial islands off the shore in Bayan Lepas.
At a talk dubbed "Penang's Future, New Islands?" organised by Anak Pinang at the Penang Institute last night, its spokesperson Timothy Tye (above) said the NGO had received no money from the state government or DAP.
"It's not true, the state or DAP has not funded on anything. The most I have got from them is a space to use. That's it. No money.
"I'm contributing my time out of the love I have for Penang. I hope you understand what it is like to love Penang," Tye said.
He was asked to clarify allegations that his newly founded NGO, which also supports the state's Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), was not financially funded by the state.
The talk was moderated by Joshua Woo, executive director of Pergerakan Komuniti Muda or Peka.
According to Woo, the hall for the talk from Penang Institute was not provided by the state but was rented by the NGO as it was the first time Anak Pinang needed space for its event.
Anak Pinang's views on PSR and PTMP were often seen in direct contrast to Penang Forum, a coalition of local NGOs which opposed the mega projects, which they said would destroy the environment and livelihood of coastal fisherfolks.
On Sept 12, Penang Forum spokesperson Khoo Salma Nasution said it seemed that the government no longer welcomed the views of NGOs, now that it had spawned a few "quangos (quasi-autonomous NGOs) and pangos (party NGOs)" of its own.
Tye said his NGO's support for the project will not destroy Penang, on the contrary. He wants the state to be developed, with its environment and heritage protected.
"I look at all the developed countries and they have the same trajectory. In order to develop, one must first build.
"Once our people are educated and have high-paying jobs, they will begin to protect their environment and heritage, or else they will be too busy trying to make living," he said.
Mohd Nasarudin Sultan, who claimed to be a former fisherman, said he was disappointed with the state for delaying the development of the PSR.
It is expected that 30 percent of state land will be developed and sold to fund the RN46 billion PTMP, which involves a light rail transit system from Bayan Lepas to Komtar.
Nasarudin said unlike his former peers in Penang Fishermen's Association (PFA), who strongly opposed the PSR, he believed the projects would bring benefits to his community as their skills would be upgraded instead of relying on traditional fishing methods.
He also claimed that the area where the reclamation project expected to be developed would not affect the daily fishing area.
"Not all fishermen in Teluk Kumbar, about 200, who claimed to go out to sea, registered as fisherfolk for some benefits from the government, like getting subsidies, petrol, even free holidays sponsored by the fishermen's association," said Nasarudin, who now works with a multinational company.
"Don't believe me 100 percent, do your own investigation. I planned to bring some fisherfolk to this talk but they were afraid, saying they might lose their right to receive benefits in cash or kind from the government," he added.
Journalist Raja Sekaran said Penang needs a "new playground" to bring development to the state as the Bayan Lepas Free Trade Zone is no longer capable of attracting high-end business as it did in the 1970s to 1980s.
He said without visionary leader Lim Chong Eu, the former Penang chief minister, the free trade zone which attracted massive industrial growth would not have developed.
"I remember how people's lives changed and improved due to the development, how their incomes increased due to work in the factories," said the senior journalist from Alor Setar, Kedah.
"However, between the 1990s and 2000s, there was a lull and disconnect as Penang got mired in politics, other regional economies like China grew and our factories were relocating to these countries due to cheap labour," Raja said.
"We cannot go back to cheap labour anymore, we need a high-end industrial growth (4.0). The artificial islands can provide the space for it so that our economy and technology can flourish again," he added.
"Even our fisherfolk, who may be affected by the reclamation projects, can find new job opportunities when there is a new development in their areas."
Putrajaya has approved the environmental impact assessment report for the PSR pending the state's compliance with 72 conditions imposed, but the NGOs have questioned the process of approval.
The PSR will be developed by SRS Consortium, the state delivery partner, while the project is slated to be completed by 2030.
The PFA, which claimed to represent 7,000 fisherfolk, would hold a one-day strike (hartal) by hanging up their nets and not going out to sea to fish to bring awareness of how the PSR and PTMP would affect their livelihood. - Mkini
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