Commentary by Mustafa K. Anuar

ENVIRONMENTALISTS, fishermen, nature lovers and Penang’s prominent civil society groups were shocked and upset over the Department of Environment’s (DOE) conditional approval of the Penang state government’s land reclamation project’s Environmental Impact Assessment.

They were aghast because the nod, subject to fulfilling 71 conditions, was given for the planned construction of three artificial islands at the southern tip of Penang island despite objections and environmental concerns that have been raised for many years.

The sale of reclaimed land on these islands was originally meant to raise funds to finance the RM46 billion worth of transportation infrastructure projects under SRS Consortium’s Penang Transport Master Plan that would supposedly ease traffic congestion on the island, as well as help to spur economic growth.

Originally, Phase 1 was for Islands A and B. This was supposed to raise money to finance the RM9 billion Penang Island Link highway and RM10 billion light rail transit. Island C is in phase 2.

But it appears that this objective may have to be put on hold as only Island A or a part of it will be developed because of the current dull property market.

The state is to pay contractors to reclaim the island and then sell it to developers.

It seems the arguments of fishermen, including the official state fishermen’s association (Pen Mutiara), Persatuan Nelayan Kawasan Selatan Pulau Pinang and all other fishing concerns, have not been able to persuade the state’s leaders to change their mind over this matter.

Others who also reportedly raised their concerns were the Fisheries Department, Fisheries Development Authority and Fisheries Research Institute.

Despite these concerns, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has doubled down, claiming the majority of Penang’s people are in support of the government’s initiative that holds the promise of economic growth, jobs and prosperity. 

What seems to be neglected, if not outright dismissed, of the concerns and sentiments of these minority groups may be converted into political fodder by certain political parties to exploit, especially at a time when Penang is preparing for elections.

In particular, the Malay-based Perikatan Nasional opposition coalition is likely to go to town with it, claiming that the interests and concerns of the Penang Malay community should be championed.

Malay-based political parties of the unity government at the state level may receive the electoral brunt of PN’s “green wave” in the state as a result, if they are not well-equipped to counter arguments potentially posed by the opposition on behalf of these aggrieved sections of the Malay community.

It would be disturbing and regretful if environmental and economic concerns such as the Penang case are indeed given a racial twist, because the critics of the three-island project, irrespective of their ethnic backgrounds, are indeed troubled by potential ecological destruction, livelihoods of fishermen (as fish-breeding grounds in the vicinity would be destroyed), and the fact that our food security would be put at risk.

The environmental concerns of these minorities have larger ramifications.

Racialising environmental concerns is a thing we can do without. For, it would not only drive a wedge between the country’s racial groups, but also unnecessarily distort the primary concern of environmentalists and others.

Environmental issues must not be tackled from the standpoint of winning elections, nor should race be an intervening factor.

Concerns for the environment go beyond the tenure of political leaders. These require long-term commitment and not a fancy political slogan. – April 30, 2023.