The cabinet has decided not to proceed with the plan to construct a new airport on Tioman island of which 76 percent of the project site will involve reclaimed land.
In a statement, Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said this decision was in line with the ministry's mission to prioritise the protection, restoration and use of natural resources and the environment in an optimum and responsible manner.
He said that there were 1,412 responses received from the public on the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report for the project, which was on display from June 21 to July 20.
"After the EIA technical report committee meeting on Aug 9, the ministry is of the opinion that the proposed airport would potentially have a serious negative impact on the quality of the environment in Tioman Island, especially towards the sensitive receptors and marine ecology.
"Although the goal of the (airport proponents) was to draw more visitors (to the island), the new airport will bring an unsustainable number of visitors and destroy the natural attractions in Tioman Island," said Nik Nazmi.
He said that Tioman Island was a protected marine park and hosted a virgin rainforest. He noted that the island was also a wildlife reserve.
"The (cabinet's) decision reflected the efforts of the government in balancing development and ecological sustainability," he said.
The project has been in discussion since the late 2000s. The project proponents are a joint venture between Berjaya Group's Tioman Hill Resort Sdn Bhd and a company with links to the Pahang royal family.
In recent years, the project was incorporated into several federal and state development plans. However, the crucial EIA report for the project was only ready earlier this year.
Had the project gone ahead, it would involve the drastic redrawing of Tioman's marine park borders and upending the livelihood of those living in two villages closest to the airport. - Mkini
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