THE Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) in Penang will install 62 (beach containers) sandbags to arrest the level of erosion along the Batu Ferringhi beachfront.
Following the worsening of coastline erosion which the state blames on stronger waves due to climate change, state executive councillor for infrastructure Zairil Khir Johari revealed that the sandbag containers were being deployed to mitigate the erosion.
The Tanjung Bungah assemblyman said the sandbags would be installed along some 40 metres identified as areas most severely affected by erosion.
"This would reduce the impact of waves on the shoreline. The project will cost RM500,000," Zairil said in a statement.
“It is a medium-term mitigation plan which will be effective for two to three years, depending on weather conditions. It is a temporary solution until an approved long-term coastal erosion protection project is implemented,” he said.
The installation of sandbags along the beach in front of the Lone Pine Hotel began on July 8 and is scheduled to be completed by August 10.
In January, Zairil said the DID was investigating the cause of the worsening coastal erosion in Batu Ferringhi, which had drawn serious attention due to its impact on beach aesthetics, visitor safety and water sports activities.
Zairil said that for now, they are not taking any chances as prolonged delays in the mitigation works could see the erosion spread further inland.
However, he said that high tides could delay the installation of these sandbags as it could only be done during low tide.
“Continuous rain, strong winds and high waves would also make it difficult.”
Members of the Tanjung Bungah Residents Association, have also urged the state to look into other factors besides climate change.
Some alleged that widespread land reclamation may also be a factor - something which Zairil had ruled out previously.
Beach erosion in Batu Ferringhi is primarily driven by strong, high-velocity waves fueled by climate change, rising sea levels, and unpredictable monsoon winds.
Environmental groups also point to coastal overdevelopment and land reclamation as contributing human factors disrupting natural sand replenishment cycles. - July 15, 2026.
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