Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has denied claims that he has not defended the livelihoods of fisherfolk following the approval of the Penang South Islands (PSI) reclamation project.
Anwar asserted that he raised concerns about the highly criticised project, especially regarding the livelihoods of fisherfolk and the residents in the area.
“Allow the process of the project to take its course.
“And if they (stakeholders) want to file an appeal against the project, we (the federal government) will listen, and the state government will also provide an explanation,” Anwar told reporters today.
He said this after performing Friday prayers at Masjid Jamiul Ehsan in Sungai Buloh, Kuala Lumpur.
Also present were Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari, Sungai Buloh MP R Ramanan and Ampang PKR division chief Altimet.
On Wednesday, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kwon Yeow announced that the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report for the PSI project has obtained approval from the Department of Environment (DOE).
The agency comes under the Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change Ministry.
In principle, Anwar said the controversial PSI project has received EIA approval, but it came with 71 conditions that needed to be fulfilled.
The PSI, previously known as Penang South Reclamation (PSR), is a project to develop three artificial islands, with an area of approximately 1,700 hectares, in the waters off Permatang Damar Laut, near Bayan Lepas.
However, the project received objections from the fishing community and environmental NGOs in the state because it is alleged to affect the marine ecosystem.
Earlier, the Penang Fishermen's Association (Pen Mutiara) expressed disappointment after attempts made to meet Anwar to discuss the controversial project were “ignored”.
Berita Harian reported Pen Mutiara president Ibrahim Che Ros as saying that his party had written to Anwar’s office twice - to organise a meeting on the PSI project as well as an invite for the prime minister to attend a break of fast ceremony during the fasting month.
“We received acknowledgement for both letters, unfortunately, we have not had the opportunity to meet the prime minister until now.
“We are indeed disappointed with the prime minister; the natural resources, environment and climate change minister; and the agriculture and food security minister for failing to defend the rights of fisherfolk,” he was quoted as saying by the Malay daily. - Mkini
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