SAHABAT Alam Malaysia (SAM) has called on Penang and the state Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) to make public the technical report on the severe coastal erosion here.
Among the country's oldest non-governmental organisations, SAM specified the erosion trends in Tanjung Bungah and Batu Ferringhi respectively.
It is vital that the report is made public so the causes of the coastal erosion and the mitigation measures to be undertaken can be understood by all, especially those affected by it, said SAM president Meenaskhi Raman.
The leaders in the state government should not simply dismiss concerns raised by civil society organisations as being unsubstantiated over the likely impact of massive reclamation works which have been undertaken and are ongoing around Penang, without making public scientific technical studies or reports on what is happening, she charged.
"Simply saying that the severe coastal erosion is due to natural causes is most irresponsible and unscientific."
It is not only SAM that has expressed serious concerns over the severe erosion taking place but also hotels and the Tanjung Bungah Residents Association who have received complaints from residents living along the coast, who are witnessing such incidents.
"There are also concerns over the safety of their buildings."
"We hope the state government will accede to our request," she added.
Earlier, state executive councillor Zairil Khir Johari, who oversees the infrastructure portfolio, released a statement, citing a DID study which concluded that it was the stronger waves, which did untold damage to the coastline here.
He ruled out reclamation as a factor and urged civil society to be careful when making public their assertions, especially when according blame to reclamation works. - January 30, 2026.
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