A STAUNCH critic of the Penang state government’s massive reclamation project has launched an online petition urging Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to reject the proposal.

The petition was started early this morning by Penang Forum’s Khoo Salma Nasution, who has long been a vocal critic of the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project, which involves reclaiming three islands off the southern coast of Penang island to fund the ambitious Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP).

The 1,821ha reclamation project was presented to the National Physical Planning Council (NPPC) chaired by Dr Mahathir last month.

Although no approval was given for the reclamation, it was reported that the NPPC agreed with the implementation of the project on the grounds that the state government implements 18 of its recommendations.

But the petition is arguing that the project – the size of Johor’s Forest City development – should not proceed, as it would destroy the “richest fishery in Penang” and put the livelihoods of 4,817 inshore fishermen are at stake.

“In view of rapid fish depletion worldwide, this coastal fish bank is our food security. It supplies local needs as well as Penang’s food and tourism industry.

“Once destroyed, seafood prices will hike beyond what the average Penangite can afford.”

The petition also stated that the reclamation will lead to sand-mining impact in Perak.

“The deep seabed (benthic zone) will be dredged and destroyed. As in the northern reclamation, the fishermen in Penang and an additional 6,080 fishermen in Perak will be pulling out mud and rocks, tearing holes in their fishing nets.”

It also raised environmental and pollution concerns, such as the destruction of the southern beaches and impact to the coastal environment in Permatang Damar Laut, Gertak Sanggul and Teluk Kumbar.

The petition said coastal habitats and the nesting patterns of Olive Ridley turtles, which are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, will be disrupted.

“Locals will lose their recreational beaches and sea views. Penang’s eco-tourism reputation will be tainted by this irresponsible project.

“Marine biodiversity for miles around will be stressed and depleted.”

It also claimed that the project is “environmentally reckless in the face of climate crisis” because it will generate an additional 3.2 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

The petition also attacked the RM46 billion PTMP as “fundamentally flawed”.

“The reclamation and land sales are purportedly a means to pay for the implementation of the PTMP to ease traffic congestion.

“But the present version of the PTMP is fundamentally flawed, consisting of a slew of expensive projects rather than viable, integrated solutions.”

The petition also said the need for more land was due to bad planning, arguing that there was still ample land on mainland Seberang Prai for future development.

It also said that the “speculative development is based on greed, not on need”, using the current property overhang to support the argument.

The petition also accused the Penang government of lacking transparency in handling the project.

“From the start, the display of the 20-volume SRS proposal was severely restricted, where visitors cannot make copies, bring in cameras or even handphones.

“To date, no cost breakdown of any component of the PTMP, including the reclamation, has been made available,” the petition said.

It said the lack of transparency in planning and management processes implies hidden agendas, adding that the mega-project “can easily become a platform for manipulated land values, international money flows and undeclared political financing”.

The petition collected 220 signatures in its first 10 hours. – May 10, 2019.