THE National Physical Planning Council (NPCC) has recommended that the proposed Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project must result in the development of the three affected islands into a smart city that is green.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said that the NPCC had agreed with the PSR’s implementation, subject to a list of 18 recommendations.

All governments, departments or agencies must seek the NPPC’s advice on proposed developments relating to coastal reclamations, construction of major national infrastructures like airports, seaports, railway transport, highways, dams, toxic waste disposal sites and other infrastructure of national interest.

The NPPC, chaired by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, met yesterday to discuss the project, which proposes the reclamation of three islands off the southern coast of Penang Island.

Smart, high tech and green

Revealing the list to reporters today, Chow said the islands should also be developed as a high-tech industrial zone based on the Industrial Revolution 4.0 – the first of its kind in the region that focuses on automation, artificial intelligence, robotics and Internet of Things (IoT).

He said the NPCC also emphasised the importance of introducing green city initiatives, as the project is expected to emit an estimated 3.2 million tonnes of carbon annually.

The islands’ developer must introduce green city initiatives such as a Low Carbon City action plan to cut 40% carbon emissions while taking into account the national Green Technology Master Plan 2017-2030.

Building designs should also use the Green Building index and MyCREST (Malaysian Carbon Reduction and Environmental Sustainability Tool), and commercial and residential buildings should also come with energy-saving features, rain-harvesting and bio-ecological drainage systems.

Neighbourhoods should be integrated with bicycle lanes, pedestrian walkways, waste composting, and 3R (reduce, reuse, recycle) programmes.

Chow said both the smart the green initiatives advised were consistent with existing policies in Penang.

“I think Penang is already in the lead in this area,” he said.

The NPPC list also included the need for an integrated public transportation system, with a recommendation for a property market study to be conducted to ensure there are dedicated zones for affordable housing to ensure inclusive development.

Chow said 23% of the reclaimed land will go to housing projects, with 30% of it reserved for affordable homes, on top of 30% to go to low- and low-medium-cost homes.

Compliance non-negotiable

The NPPC also said the project must adhere to all requirements in the environmental, social, fisheries and traffic impact assessment reports, the environmental management plan, and others.

The developer must also consider the impact the PSR has on locals, like the 3,140 people from 805 fishing families, and provide them with new homes and jobs.

Chow said that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the project has listed out resettlement and compensation packages to address the concerns of those affected by the works.

The project must also follow guidelines and instructions, namely the Environmental Essentials for Siting Industries in Malaysia, and not impact shipping routes.

Buildings in the three islands must also follow height restrictions so as not to obstruct flight airspace, as they are situated near the Penang International Airport.

Developments on the islands must also follow the federal government’s freeze on shopping malls, offices, condominiums and luxury apartments costing over RM1 million, which was enforced on November 1, 2017.

Chow said it was possible that the state and project delivery partner SRS Consortium might need another one or two years to work out the technical issues, designs and the financial structure before actual physical work could start.

The PSR is important to the state, the owner of the project said, as the reclaimed land will be auctioned off to generate funds to finance the Penang Transport Master Plan. The reclamation is expected to take some 15 years. – April 19, 2019.