Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Deputy Minister Sim Tze Tzin has expressed his disagreement with the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project, saying he would convey the concerns of the fisherfolk to the state government.
Sim, who is PKR Bayan Baru MP, concedes the southern reclamation plan will destroy marine ecology and affects the income of the fisherfolk.
He plans to meet with the state government in January next year to convey the voice of the fisherfolk.
"As the deputy minister of agriculture and MP of Bayan Baru, I have the responsibility of taking care of my stakeholders, who are the fisherfolk and their families," Sim told Malaysiakini.
"I disagree with the reclamation and therefore will hold discussions with Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and the state government officials to convey the voices of my constituents and stakeholders," he added.
"However, I understand that the final decision is in the hands of the state government."
Sim said the Department of Fisheries has proposed four extra conditions to the state government to mitigate the impact on the marine environment, should the project go on.
"We hope the state government will consider these extra mitigation suggestions," he added.
NGOs and the fishing community have rejected the PSR due to concerns for the environment and its effect on the livelihood of fisherfolk.
Spaning 1,820ha in Bayan Lepas, the project involves the creation of three artificial islands, to be developed and partly (30 percent) sold to cover the cost of the state's ambitious Penang Transport Master Plan, which reportedly will cost a massive RM46 billion, and includes a light rail system from the Penang International Airport to Komtar.
Sim was quoted by local Chinese daily Kwong Wah Yit Poh last Saturday as saying he "rejected" the reclamation project due to its effect on the marine environment.
Sim had suggested to Chow to seek other suitable sites for reclamation. However, the chief minister said there were no alternative sites available.
Sim said he had also discussed with the state government the provision of fishermen's assistance schemes, and the possibility of providing the fisherfolk with better horsepower vessels so that they could operate further out at sea.
"We also discussed the important issue of housing for the fisherfolk, who are currently squatters on their land," Sim said, citing the Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Theory, which states housing security as a priority for good living conditions. - Mkini
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