GEORGE TOWN – The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) has renewed its calls for the federal government to scrap the Penang South Islands (PSI) mega reclamation project.
CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader also urged Penangites to pressure the DAP-led state government back the cancellation of the project.
“The PSI is wasteful and not viable as it will impact Penang’s ecology, food security, and demography,” he said in a press conference here today.
Also present was Penang Forum executive council member Khoo Salma Nasution, who has been opposing the reclamation project for years.
Mohideen said it is untrue that Penang has no more land for development as Batu Kawan has more than 3,000 acres available for economic use while Seberang Prai has more than 12,000 hectares of land.
“Several industrial estates in Penang are also underutilised. The state should focus on attracting investments there instead of pouring money into the sea for a problematic project.
“The mega reclamation will exacerbate the climate crisis. Implementing the project would need 4,500 acres of the sea, an important carbon sink, to be covered with sand and soil.
“Additionally, it will produce 3.2 million tons of carbon emissions per year, in violation of Malaysia’s commitment under the Paris Agreement. Malaysia has undertaken to cut carbon intensity against GDP by 45% by 2030 from 2005 levels.”
Meanwhile, Khoo Salma cautioned that the state government should avoid a result similar to what had happened after the earlier reclamation project off Tg Tokong, as fishermen in interviews with Penang Forum reported a 50% drop in their catches. – The Vibes, May 5, 2023
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