Gamuda: Penang South Island critics disregarding approval process

 

Gamuda Berhad has taken aim at those opposed to the Penang South Island reclamation project and who are calling for it to be scrapped or scaled down.

In a statement today, Gamuda, the majority shareholder of the SRS Consortium Sdn Bhd undertaking the PSI reclamation works, said the project’s opponents did not demonstrate any respect for due process.

“The clamour for the project to be scaled down or even scrapped by parties uneasy or unhappy with the approval decision reflects the scant regard for the integrity of the due process and even the rule of law underlying it.

“What are the implications for the approval process of future development projects? Are foreign investors more reassured and undeterred from investing in our country?” asked Gamuda.

This came after the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was approved, which nonetheless saw Sahabat Alam Malaysia president Meena Raman saying that the EIA process must be redone after the scaling down of the project from three islands to only one.

“The comprehensive and transparent due process leading to the approval of the PSI project covers not only the concerns of the environmentalists and the ‘anti-development’ lobby but also wisely balances that with the wellbeing of the communities in the vicinity of the project, and most of all, the economic development roadmap agreed with the Penang state planners for the benefit of the overwhelming majority,” said Gamuda.

It stressed that there are channels provided for parties if they choose to appeal against the approval decision.

“As a recent example, following an appeal, the Federal Court rescinded DBKL’s approval to build apartments on a part of Taman Rimba Kiara. We can only be envious that the rule of law and due process was upheld.

“The recent EIA approval was secured following a stringent and professional process starting in 2021, including two public displays to gather public feedback and a series of technical review meetings.

“The process involved subject matter experts and specialist studies covering hydraulics and hydrology, social impact, marine and coastal ecology,” added Gamuda.

93pct of feedback was positive

The company noted that over 4,000 official feedbacks were registered during the public display process, of which an overwhelming 93 percent of them were positive.

“Our partners in the project are the local community. A survey by independent consultants revealed that 63 percent of the fishing community on the south coast of Penang Island have a monthly income between RM1,000 to RM2,000.

“We are determined to improve their livelihoods by immediately improving their catch and eventually by preparing them for the job opportunities arising from the long-term project,” it added.

It said that in collaboration with Penang through its three service centres (Pusat Khidmat Setempat Nelayan), they provided larger boats with bigger engines, upgrading local berthing and boat repair facilities, as well as ensuring all-weather access to the sea. 

“In the next 24 months alone, we have identified 550 marine-related jobs for the local workforce, from seafaring work to being crew members of the sand dredgers.

“We are now developing the training modules to be used as part of the ‘on-the-job training’ to ensure their fitness for the purpose.

“In the longer term over the next 20 years, thousands of jobs are also available during the construction phase. We plan to roll out TVET courses for the local youth as a pathway to uplifting livelihoods through better-paying jobs.

Indignation towards ‘self-anointed guardians’

“We can understand the indignation of our service centre staff who frequently witness self-anointed NGO personalities whizzing through the site in two hours and then appearing in media the next day berating the project and pouring out their sympathy for the fisherfolk,” said Gamuda.

The state government said it will build the LRT depot on Silicon Island to avoid densely populated areas.

Other plans for Silicon Island include commercial and residential development, the Green Tech Park, and other developments that the government believes could drive the state economy and tourism.

The reclamation is estimated to cost RM6 billion, while infrastructure development will cost another RM2.5 billion.

“The EIA approval conditions also encompass measures under the PSI Ecology Offset Masterplan. Relevant government agencies and academic institutions jointly collaborate with us to develop programmes designed to enhance marine biodiversity in the project vicinity. 

“These programmes have proven to be effective elsewhere globally, provided they are located right and designed well. 

“They include artificial reefs and fish aggregating devices, mangrove planting, and sustainable shoreline habitats. The technical expertise assembled will continue to be on board throughout the implementation of the project,” added Gamuda.

It said that as a result of these initiatives, the PSI project has secured a high Social Impact Assessment approval rating of 79.1 percent from the local community, and more specifically, the support of 74.8 percent of the local fisherfolk.

“As for the sustainable economic growth appropriate for Penang, the leaders have determined in the Penang 2030 Plan that it hinges on their ability to continue attracting foreign direct investments in the coming years, especially in the E&E sector.

“The proposed Green Tech Park on Silicon Island, together with an enabling zero-carbon ecosystem, STEM talent training and related academic institutions should provide a strong opportunity to capture a share of the new investments arising from the supply chain decoupling from both China and Taiwan,” it said. - Mkini