GEORGE TOWN – The Penang South Islands (PSI) project has yet to take off, but a fisherman has lodged a police report after his prawn nets were allegedly damaged following a ground inspection by developer SRS Consortium Sdn Bhd.
Azhar Najamuddin, 50, from the Sg Batu unit, said the incident happened on Pulau Rimau, Batu Maung, at 1.50pm on Tuesday.
“I saw that the ground inspection platform by SRS Consortium drifted and damaged my nets,” he said in the report seen by The Vibes.
Azhar said as a result, he lost RM3,000 worth of nets, adding that his source of income is now impacted.
Southwest district police chief Kamarul Rizal Jenal confirmed to The Vibes that a report was lodged on the incident, and said the matter has been referred to the state Fisheries Department.
It is understood that SRS Consortium paid Azhar RM1,000 in early compensation following the incident.
Meanwhile, Sg Batu fishermen’s unit chief Zakaria Ismail expressed hope that the Penang government and SRS Consortium will stop all preliminary land works pending approval of the project’s environmental management plan (EMP).
“We should wait for the EMP approval first. Only then can the works start. But they can’t wait to start the PSR (Penang South Reclamation) project.
“This is difficult for fishermen. In fact, we have faced various losses since 2016 due to their initial project.”
PSI has its fair share of detractors, including environmental groups, Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar and Deputy Agriculture and Food Industries Minister II Datuk Che Abdullah Mat Nawi.
The project nonetheless does have supporters, including a handful of fishermen in Gertak Sanggul who are keen to see their area developed. – The Vibes, June 24, 2021
