PENANG Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said there is no need for debate on the Penang South Islands (PSI) project as it took eight years of effort to obtain approval of its Environmental Impact Assessment, (EIA) which was passed on April 11.

“Any dispute or question regarding the PSI project” was settled, and if the state government did not comply with conditions set by the Environment Department (DOE), the EIA would not have been approved, Chow said at Penang’s Wesak Day celebration in George Town today.

He was commenting on a statement issued by Penang Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Dominic Lau Hoe Chai, who challenged Chow to debate the PSI project and development in Seberang Perai.

Chow said the state government is currently focusing on preparations for the sea reclamation portion of the PSI project.

“Next week, I will announce what we are proposing for PSI, especially for island A,” he said.

He said there is no need to debate the project with anyone, especially when everyone is getting ready for the state elections. Any party dissatisfied with the project can take the matter to court, he said.

On Wednesday, Chow announced the EIA for the PSI project received conditional approval from Putrajaya DOE in a letter dated April 11. 

The PSI project involves the development of three man-made islands over an area of 1,700ha off Permatang Damar Laut near Bayan Lepas, but the project was criticised by the fishing community and environmental groups over claims it would damage the marine ecosystem. – Bernama, April 30, 2023.