GEORGE TOWN – A state executive councillor has accused the federal government of being hypocritical in calling for the Penang Southern Islands (PSI) reclamation project to be scrapped while withdrawing funding for other projects aimed at reviving the economy.
Penang Infrastructure and Transport Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari in a statement called the stand another form of political persecution against the state.
The PSI project appears to be gaining attention recently, with comments from Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican and Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, he added.
Zairil claimed that there is an effort to marginalise Penang, saying that Perikatan Nasional has set its sight on the state since forming the “back door government” in Putrajaya last year.
He said three crucial and strategic infrastructure projects have been either cancelled or suspended in the state, namely the RM100 million Penang Hill cable car project, RM800 million Penang International Airport expansion plan, and multibillion-ringgit sukuk bond guarantee for the development of a light rail transit system (LRT).
It is unfortunate that PN ministers are intent on persecuting Penang in the midst of the pandemic, when all efforts should, instead, be focused on the national vaccination drive and dire situation of the healthcare system, he added.
“This time, they are attacking PSI, a project that is meant to not only fund infrastructure developments in the state such, as the LRT and Pan Island Link 1 highway, but also form new economic opportunities in the future.”
Zairil said it is ironic that the ministers are using environmental and social concerns as the basis for their rejection of the project.
This is because they do not appear to have any qualm towards reclamation projects in PN-led states, such as Kedah, Johor, Melaka, Terengganu and Kelantan, he added.
In fact, the National Physical Planning Council recently gave its blessings for Melaka to develop 7,081ha of land, including 4,485ha of coastal reclamation, which is more than twice the size of the proposed PSI (1,821ha).
“Why is it that we do not hear a single squeak from these ministers? Where is their concern for environmental and social issues in this project, which is far bigger than Penang’s?” said Zairil.
“Their silence in this case is deafening and proves that Penang is being victimised for… political reasons.
“I have addressed the social and environmental concerns related to the PSI project in my previous statement so I will not repeat them here.
“The fact is that PSI is designed to not only be a sustainable development compliant with international environmental, social and governance standards, it will, more importantly, also be a catalyst for foreign investment and creation of high-value jobs, as well as to plug the brain drain while attracting the best talent to Penang.” – The Vibes, June 4, 2021
