BALIK PULAU – Penang is expecting an answer from the Environment Department (DoE) this month over its resubmission of the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the Penang South Islands (PSI) project.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said that the state is hoping for approval for the massive land reclamation project, saying it had worked hard to comply with the demands set by the relevant authorities.
The DoE Appeals Board has sat twice since 2021 to deliberate the EIA, rejecting it once due to technical flaws.
The PSI, among the biggest reclamation projects in the region, will see over 4,500 acres of man-made islands off Batu Maung here.
Chow was speaking at a press conference after handing aid to nine inshore fishermen who would be impacted by the project.
Among the officials present were Penang Infrastructure Corporation Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Seri Farizan Darus, SRS Consortium Sdn Bhd project director Szeto Wai Loong, Penang Island City Council president Datuk Yew Tung Seang and former DAP strongman Datuk Lim Hock Seng.
Chow said that the EIA is a complicated process since it involves up to 15 government agencies and departments, including technical specialists.
“But we want Penang to be an example to other states on how to navigate the tough process of obtaining the necessary approval.”
Chow said that he has insisted that the PSI project can only commence when EIA approval was obtained.
Szeto, meanwhile, told journalists here that after the EIA approval is obtained, SRS as the project delivery partner will work to get the environment management plan (EMP) approved.
“That will take three months,” he added.
The EMP must take into account the climate change effect and also brand the project effectively as a strategic future investment.
He agreed that any more delays would cause project costs to escalate, saying that the land costs would naturally rise.
Farizan meanwhile said that up to 20 fishermen have benefitted from the state’s social impact aid from the PSI – which now also includes a master plan to balance the needs of the fishermen with the surrounding ecology.
With the aid, recipients now have access to newer and modernised boats, fish finder devices, and the global position system which can pinpoint areas with catch potential.
The PSI is the cornerstone project of the DAP-state government to steer Penang into the 21st century.
The three islands in the project will measure 4,500 acres in total – Island A at 2,300 acres of land, Island B at 1,400 acres and Island C at 800 acres.
Located strategically close to the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone, PSI will attract new investors and retain existing ones that want to grow their operations in a strategic location that has the right working and living conditions. – The Vibes, January 12, 2023
