THE Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) and Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) have appealed to Putrajaya and the Penang government not to proceed with the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project.

CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader said the scaling down of the project from three islands to one has not allayed their concerns and those of the fishing community. 

“This project is simply not needed as we have argued time and again that land on the mainland is more than sufficient for any expansion of economic activities.

“We once again appeal to the federal government, the prime minister and the state government to not exacerbate the environmental and social injustice by proceeding with the reclamation project,” he said in a statement. 

Mohideen said CAP wanted to know if the state government had obtained the planning permission to commence the project under the Town and Country Planning Act 1976, a legal requirement that needs to be adhered to.

Earlier, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state will start preparatory works for the Penang Silicon Island project starting today. 

“With the approval of the agencies involved, the preparatory works for the Silicon Island will begin from today and continue until the related works are completed,” he was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times today.

He also said the state will be issuing ex-gratia payments to the fishing community affected by the project – 75% of it to be credited in phases starting today while the remaining 25% would be disbursed in early 2024.

Mohideen said it was unfortunate that the project was taking off despite the concerns and objections raised by fishermen group Persatuan Nelayan Kawasan Selatan Pulau Pinang.

“The fishermen have challenged the approval of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report but no hearing date has been fixed to date by the appeal board set up under the Environmental Quality Act 1974.”

He said destroying a vital ecosystem that is bio-diverse and which cannot be replaced is unjustifiable and makes no sense.  

“The Madani government has professed to act in the interest of ensuring social justice, but ignoring the strenuous objections from the official fishermen’s association goes in the wrong direction of good governance and a caring government.

“Please listen to the voices of those who represent the genuine interests of the fisherfolk and not give in to the lobby of private interests who put profits over people, and halt the commencement of works immediately.”

The EIA report for the Penang South Island project was approved with 71 conditions on April 11, while the Environment Department approved the environmental management plan for the project on July 21.

The state government has scrapped two of three islands planned under the south Penang reclamation project.

The remaining island, named Silicon Island, is about 920ha large. – September 1, 2023.