EIA approval for Penang reclamation project revoked

The Department of Environment’s move to approve the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report for the Penang South Islands (PSI) project has been revoked.

This is following a successful appeal by fishing community leader Zakaria Ismail.

In a statement today, Zakaria’s lead counsel Meena Raman lauded the decision.

“This decision is very significant as it is not only important for the PSI case but all EIA approvals as well by the department.

“The Appeal Board decision is most important for understanding how the department’s director-general must make decisions to ensure that the projects for which EIAs are done are in accordance with the structure plans or local plans which are legally effective,” she said.

According to Meena, the Appeal Board held that it was “premature” for the department’s director-general to approve the EIA based on the Penang Structure Plan 2030 even before the plan was officially gazetted.

The department had approved the EIA report for the state government project on Jun 25, 2019.

The Penang Structure Plan 2030 was gazetted four months later, on Oct 24, 2019.

The Appeal Board was chaired by Sessions Court judge Rozina Ayob and comprised Mazlin Mokhtar and Ramdzani Abdullah.

The PSI involves reclaiming three artificial islands to build industrial zones, tourist attractions, education hubs and housing projects, including affordable housing.

The islands will span 1,821ha, equivalent to the size of about 2,550 football fields.

The state government has promised that the project will be developed sustainably, touting its ability to create jobs and fill state coffers.

The PSI project is meant to help fund multi-billion infrastructure projects detailed in the Penang Transport Master Plan.

However, those who are against the project contend that it will jeopardise the livelihood of local fishermen and harm marine biology ecosystems.

Groups opposing the PSI are united under the #PenangTolakTambak movement.

[More to follow] - Mkini