Penang’s idea to explore oil, gas shocks environmental group

THE Penang government has been told to reconsider plans to allow national oil corporation Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) to explore oil and natural gas fields in the seas off the island.

The Pertubuhan Jaringan Ekologi Dan Iklim (Jedi), an NGO focussed on environmental and climate protection, expressed perplexity at Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow’s statement on this matter.

It said that such an action seems conflicting with Penang’s proud history of leading in various green initiatives and winning multiple environmental recognitions and awards.

“We are deeply concerned by the recent announcement from Penang (government), who had expressed their intention to explore oil and gas extraction as potential revenue,” said its coordinator Andrew Han in a statement.

It noted that the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty has gained momentum, with a hundred cities endorsing it at the UN’s 28th Conference of the Parties to the Convention (COP 28) in Dubai last week.

The conference is held annually determine nations’ ambition and responsibilities, and identify and assess climate measures, under the Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) introduced at the Rio Summit in 1992.

Han said that while subnational governments worldwide are rallying for a treaty which aims to move away from oil, gas and coal, it is disheartening to see Penang potentially taking a step backward.

He said his association would like to remind Chow of the Penang Green Agenda vision – to be the greenest state in Malaysia – and to be driven by a green economy by 2030.

“How can Penang achieve its vision of a green economy and a low-carbon state, dedicated to fighting climate change, while simultaneously considering the extraction of revenue through oil and gas resources?

“Such a move contradicts the principles for which Penang stands and the aspirations for which its citizens voted – a ‘Cleaner, Greener Penang’,” he said, referring to a slogan used by the state.

Rather than succumbing to the allure of quick financial gains, Penang should focus on embracing renewable energy (RE) sources.

There are already plans by Penang Development Corporation (PDC) to grow the RE sector, especially solar energy, to become Penang’s core business, he stressed.

Forward-thinking nations and cities across the globe are moving towards cleaner alternatives, and Penang should be at the forefront of this positive change, he said.

“We must not make light of the climate crisis, and truly understand that the increased production and use of fossil fuels is not compatible with a safe and liveable future,” said Han.

Chow had recently said Penang may consider introducing a sales tax on petroleum products, as is being done in Sarawak, in the event that oil is found in its waters.

Petronas recently announced it is mapping the hydrocarbon potential of the Langkasuka Basin, which spans the waters of Perlis, Kedah and Penang. – The Vibes, December 3, 2023.