GEORGE TOWN – The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) urged the Penang government to take more drastic measures to stop the alarming rate of soil erosion along the Batu Ferringhi beach.
CAP education officer N. V. Subbarow said that the sandbags used as wave breakers have made the situation worse.
“We suggest the state government plant mangrove trees to help prevent soil erosion. We would also want the state government to look into the concerns aired by the residents there,” he told reporters when met at the Batu Ferringhi beach.
He stated that the extensive stretch of sandbags along the beach does not help to resolve the issue as soil erosion is caused by strong waves.
Subbarow urged the state government to re-evaluate the sandbag project and save the beach, which was once a popular tourist spot.
Meanwhile, Anuar Abd Aziz, 53, a water sports operator at the beach, said the sandbags in the area have made the beach no longer popular among tourists and locals.
He added that not only do the sandbags not help prevent erosion, they ruin the spectacular view of the beach.
“The collapsed sandbags are causing anxiety among beachgoers. This situation will eventually cause flooding to occur,” he added. – Bernama, December 1, 2022