FISHERMAN affected by the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project want the state government to complete all payments of past compensation promised over previous reclamation projects, before commencing with the plan to create three man-made islands.

Penang Fishermen’s Association chief Nazri Ahmad said this was the least the state could do, as many fishermen still had not received the full pay-out promised for earlier projects.

“We urge the state government to solve our problems from earlier projects before they embark on something new,” he said in a speech at a protest rally by fishermen groups against the PSR at the polo grounds in George Town, today.

Nazri said past reclamation projects, for which compensation has not been fully paid out, include work at Tanjung Tokong, Butterworth, Jelutong and Queensbay.

The protest today was attended by around 200 fishermen, and representatives from environmental and conservation groups also opposed to the PSR.

A few fishermen’s groups from Kedah and Perlis also attended.

Nazri said fishermen had lost much of their earnings due to reduced catch because of past reclamation projects, which had silted up waters and destroyed fish breeding grounds.

The Penang Fishermen’s Association had previously taken their plight to MPs in Parliament with a protest in July, and recently submitted a memorandum to Penang Governor Abdul Rahman Abbas, appealing for his intervention.

The PSR, which will reclaim more than 1,800 ha of land, is meant to fund the RM46 billion Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) that will see new roads, highways, a tunnel and rail links. – August 24, 2019.