A residents association has appealed to a local international school to avoid the eviction of a fisherfolk community in Kampung Warisan Nelayan Tanjung Tokong, George Town.
In a video posted on Sahabat Alam Malaysia’s (SAM) Twitter today, the proposed eviction is said to make way for the construction of a watersports facility at Stonyhurst International School Penang.
When contacted by Malaysiakini, Penang executive councillor for infrastructure and transportation Zairil Khir Johari claimed that misinformation had been spread to the public on the usage of the state-owned land at Kampung Warisan Nelayan Tanjung Tokong.
“Does it look like (a) fisherfolk village to you? So, why (is) everyone reporting fisherfolk villages getting evicted?
“There is no fishing village that is getting evicted. The state is taking enforcement action on 12 out of 78 structures illegally built on state land.
“These are not fishing infrastructure. They are mainly commercial structures such as homestays,” Zairil said.
Of the 12 structures being removed, only two are residential, he added.
Zairil said that affected residents will also be offered low-medium cost housing.
“We are not removing any jetty or fisherfolk infrastructure.
“Is it okay for them to build homestays and make money on state land?” added the Tanjong Bungah assemblyperson.
According to a previous statement made by Zairil, the village is said to have existed since 2005 when fisherfolk allegedly began building structures on coastal reserves owned by the state government.
The Twitter video posted in support of the appeal showed the international school’s motto “Quant Je Puis” which means “as much as I can” in French.
“Dear Stonyhurst, is this your motto - grabbing as much as you can? Our beach? Our park? Our sea?” read placards held by children featured in the video.
The video argued that there was more merit in co-existing than removing one of the oldest coastal fishing communities on Penang Island.
“As stated on the school’s website, Stonyhurst International School is a ‘community-based school’.
“What good does it do when the first action by the school (before opening) is to evict the community around it?” read the one-minute 19-second clip.
‘A rude shock’
Earlier today, the Kampung Warisan Nelayan Tanjung Tokong Residents Association released a statement describing the move to demolish structures within the area as “a rude shock” to the community.
“Evicting the Tanjung Tokong community of fishers so that you can build water sports facilities is not a great way to start a school that is ‘community-based’ (as stated on your website),” said the group.
The association went on to say that it was excited to hear about the school’s opening, due to the potential for collaborating on cultural exchange programmes and matters such as the knowledge of sustainable livelihood that could be offered by the fishers.
“But upon hearing the news that Stonyhurst International School Penang would demolish our structures and take over the beach, it was a rude shock to us.
“As an international school with values emphasising the celebration of diversity, it saddens us that you have come to this conclusion.
“It's a challenging time for all of us after the pandemic. Many of us are still recovering from this setback,” it added.
The association urged the school to reconsider its decision and discuss the matter with the community so the matter can be resolved soon.
Malaysiakini has reached out to Stonyhurst International School but the school declined to comment.- Mkini
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