THE chairman of Penang Sustainable Environment Association (PSEA) Tan Chen Tat, in his letter “PSR – balance environmental protection with social protection” tried to convince the public that the Penang South Reclamation project must go on at all costs as the very survival of Penangites depended on the jobs that will be created during construction and after that in the industries to be set up on the three reclaimed islands.

He does not give any figures to support his claims. What is common knowledge is that almost all major construction jobs are done by foreign labour and not by locals. Similarly almost all the jobs in factories are done by foreign workers and not Penangites, with the exception of a small percentage of executives and higher ranking personnel, among whom also there are foreigners.   

Undeniably, Penang is home to a large number of foreign labour. Hence, it is very misleading of him to suggest that Penangites (the real anak Pulau Pinang) will not have construction and factory jobs if the PSR project is cancelled. I pray the federal authorities will cancel it! None of the genuine fishermen affected is keen on the “glamorous”, non-permanent jobs on land. They strongly feel a moral sense of duty to keep putting fresh marine-caught sea-food that provides cheap protein on the tables of Penangites. It’s a very noble job that provides a continuous supply of seafood and preserves the environment at the same time. It is the best self-sustaining and environment friendly industry in Penang.

Why are the inshore fishermen being looked down upon as “insignificant” people and being bullied and hounded to submit to developers’ wishes? Various well-informed, professional, independent parties have unequivocally stated that the reclamation project will permanently destroy a very rich seafood breeding and producing area. Is long-term food security for the common people no concern of the government? As for the developers of course it is not their concern – which is money!  But the state takes the advice of its “pseudo-experts” – the developers and even bends the rules for them, which has resulted in haphazard development in the state.

I have only one question to ask the chairman of PSEA. With so much of land still available on mainland Penang, which includes Batu Kawan, for all the construction work and setting up of factories that he talks about, why is the state government hell-bent on doing exactly that in the bay of Teluk Kumbar, which according to the agriculture ministry and other experts is a very rich seafood breeding and producing area and will be permanently destroyed by the reclamation?

Why? Why can’t all that construction work to provide jobs (mostly to foreigners) and factory jobs, also mostly to foreigners, be done in Batu Kawan and other ready available land in Province Wellesley? Transport from Batu Kawan to the island is a breeze using the second bridge, and direct to the Penang Airport Second Cargo Terminal in Batu Maung.   

Why the arrogant stubbornness to destroy the rich fish breeding grounds in the bay of Teluk Kumbar and so much secrecy around the bloating costs of the project and the awarding of the contracts, if there is nothing to hide? What is the “udang sebalik batu” of this grandiose project under the blanket of “development”? 

The whole thing smells of a rat, a very rotten rat! – June 5, 2021.

* Ravinder Singh reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.