Chow to brief G25 on Penang reclamation project

 

Chow Kon Yeow said G25 may not be aware of the full details of the project. (Facebok pic)

GEORGE TOWN: Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow says he is willing to meet up with members of the G25 group to brief them on the Penang South Island (PSI) project.

Chow made the offer to the group, which comprises former senior civil servants and diplomats, following its statement yesterday calling for the state government to stop proposed reclamation works on the island.

The group said it was making the appeal in order to protect the environment and the livelihood of fishermen.

Chow said many may not be aware of the full details of the project, leading to their objection.

“We will engage them (G25) so that they understand what we propose to do in mitigating the ecological and environmental impact (from the reclamation project),” he told reporters here.

Chow said the project would not take off without approval from the department of environment (DoE), who are expected to meet next month to discuss the reclamation project.

The RM10 billion reclamation project covers 17sq km and involves the development of three man-made islands in the waters off Permatang Damar Laut, near Bayan Lepas. It was mooted as a funding module for the RM46 billion Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP).

The project suffered a setback after environmental regulators allowed an appeal by fishermen late last year, who wanted it axed as it would affect their livelihood.

Separately, Chow said state elections are likely to be held in June or July, and a final decision on it will depend on the outcome of a meeting between the heads of six state governments which is set to be hosted by the Selangor menteri besar.

Pakatan Harapan-led states of Penang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, together with PAS-led Kelantan, Terengganu, and Kedah decided not to hold state polls in tandem with the general election last November.

Last week, Kelantan said it would wait for its assembly to be dissolved automatically on June 26. Negeri Sembilan had proposed June 1 to hold the polls. - FMT