ENVIRONMENTAL and civil society groups warn that sand mining to cater to the Penang South Reclamation will affect coastal communities in Perak.

They claim that the sand for the reclamation will come from the sea off the coast from Manjung to Tanjung Piandang, affecting the livelihood of 6,080 fishermen in Perak.

Perak-based Persatuan Aktivis Sahabat Alam (Kuasa) president Hafizudin Nasarudin said sand mining would lead to erosion of mangrove forests, which are important for shoreline protection and seafood resources.

“This has happened before in places Lekir, Kuala Sepetang, and Kuala Krau following reclamation off Pulau Pangkor. It is still happening now,” he said.

“When the shoreline is affected, so will turtle landing sites and fishery resources.”

Eighteen groups – including Penang Forum, Sahabat Alam Malaysia, Persatuan Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Jaringan Nelayan Pantai, Penang Inshore Fishermen Welfare Association (Pifwa), Aliran, Malaysian Nature Society, Suaram, Klimate Action Utara Malaysia and Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazanah Alam Malaysia (Peka) – are calling for the PSR to be scrapped.

The project, which will create three islands measuring a total 1,821ha off the southern coast of Penang island, is meant to generate funds to pay for the RM46 billion Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP).

The group launched a petition on May 10 addressed to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad; Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail; Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow; and Energy Technology, Science, Climate Change and Environment Minister Yeo Bee Yin.

CAP deputy president Mohideen Abdul Kader said to overcome Penang’s worsening traffic problem, which led to the need to implement the PTMP, the state should invest in a good public transport system.

“We need a public transport system that can move 70% to 80% of the people instead of a huge problem like this, which we cannot undo once implemented.

“We don’t see the rationale of this. We don’t need more land (for the island) when there is still ample land for development in Seberang Prai.”

Mohideen said the reclamation will only benefit developers and big businesses, not the ordinary people.

Meanwhile, Penang Forum’s Khoo Salma Nasution said the online petition, which has gathered over 12,000 signatures , would “go on for as long as it is necessary”.

“We hope to reach some target by the next parliament sitting in July. We already have 45 groups, including those from outside Penang.

“There are groups in Kuala Lumpur that are also concerned about PSR because they have seen the effects of reclamation in Malacca.

“We all share the same sea. The reclamation will affect many others outside Penang,” she said.

Other groups that have endorsed the petition so far include Johor Yellow Flame, Childline Foundation, C4 Centre, Pertubuhan Warisan Tanah dan Teroka Bandar, Petaling Jaya Residents Association, Friends of Kota Damansara, Teoh Beng Hock Trust of Democracy, Greenpeace Malaysia, Shorebirds Peninsular Malaysia, Gibbon Protection Society Malaysia, and Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific.

The PSR project was presented to the National Physical Planning Council chaired by Dr Mahathir last month.

While no approval has been granted, the council said it agreed with the implementation and advised Penang to follow 18 recommendations in executing the PSR project. – May 20, 2019.