THE Protect Karpal Singh Drive Residents action committee earned a minor victory when Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow allegedly agreed to consider reducing the size of the reclamation.
In a statement shared with the media, the committee chairperson A.D. Chandrasekaran said they pleaded with Chow to reject what they described as a hazardous recycling and reclamation of the Jelutong landfill waste scheme, which is now not functioning.
Highlighting key takeaways, Chandrasekaran said that Chow had expressed willingness to explore options to scale down the reclamation, and cover the waste processing and recycling operations.
It is better than the current open-air plan that threatens tens of thousands of residents with toxic dust and gases, he said.
Chow had acknowledged the meeting with the committee and posted it on social media with a pledge to seek a win-win outcome for all sides in the dispute.
The protect by residents living at the Karpal Singh Drive, which is part of the Jelutong reclamation project is another of many public objections towards expanding the land mass on the island.
Chandrasekaran said the residents also pledged to reexamine the social acceptance survey of the proposed project.
"We agreed to a fresh, independent social acceptance survey of the proposed project is now on the table—pending transparent terms of reference."
The committee presented the Chief Minister several key demands which include the immediate and total rejection of the reclamation, formal marine sanctuary status for Middle Bank and a commitment to safe, green rehabilitation with no open-air waste operations near homes.
The committee is a community movement, which is objecting to the proposed 160-acre reclamation project, off the Jelutong landfill, which is extended near their homes.
“There is scientific evidence that the massive development project threatens our environment, health, and quality of life," said the committee. - June 24, 2025.
