PENANG has received the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approval for the Penang South Islands (PSI) reclamation project.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said approval came with 71 conditions that must be fulfilled.

“We received a letter from the Department of Environment (DOE) in Putrajaya, dated April 11, with regard to the approval. It came will 71 conditions, including the need for the Social Impact Management Plan and PSI Ecology Offset Masterplan.

“Further to the EIA approval, the state government, through the project delivery partner, is in the process to obtain approval for the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) from the state DOE.

“As such, any reclamation works will only begin after the EMP approval has been obtained, which is expected in the third quarter of this year,” he told a media conference today.

The project covers an area of almost 17 sq km, which involves the development of three artificial islands with an area of 1,700ha in the waters of Permatang Damar Laut, near Bayan Lepas.

The controversial project had undergone a comprehensive process, with the EIA report approved on June 25, 2019. However, the earlier approval was overturned following objections from fishing groups and environmentalists.

Green groups, fishing communities and other activists are opposing the project, alleging that the project would damage the marine ecosystem in the area.

A new report was submitted on April 29 last year.

Chow said the approval was for the three islands, namely A, B and C.

He said work will begin first on the 930ha island A, which is where the 238ha Penang Green Tech Park industrial zone will be located.

“It will take approximately nine years to complete island A,” he said..

Chow said the approved EIA report would be available on the Penang Infrastructure Corporation website for public viewing. – April 26, 2023.