GEORGE TOWN – Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) said the civil society group was horrified to discover that the entire northern region would be overwhelmed with two proposed mega reclamation projects in Penang and Langkawi.
SAM president Meenakshi Raman said the planners had conveniently overlooked the detrimental effects of the reclamation project to the sea and hydrology.
“The environmentalists in the region are up in arms mainly because there is ample landbank in Langkawi, yet reclamation projects are being proposed.
SAM was commenting on the state’s joint venture effort announced yesterday with construction conglomerate Widad Business Group Sdn Bhd, which has plans for a mixed development project over the next 20 years with a gross development value of RM40 billion.
In a statement, it said that the projects are in the same vein of earlier projects under the Penang South Reclamation scheme, which SAM had also vehemently protested.
“Instead of reclaiming from the sea, development can be transferred to the mainland part of the state where tranches of land are available,” it said.
Meenaskhi said that SAM was shocked with Kedah’s announcement that the state would embark on such a large-scale reclamation project when it is blessed with vast amounts of land.
"A similar idea for a project like this was already shelved in 2018 by the previous state government. Why go down the same path again?” she asked.
In a corporate video presentation, the Widad Group had said it plans to reclaim an area in Padang Matsirat near Langkawi International Airport, of which 90% out of the total 1,979 acres would be an artificial island.
The land is earmarked for high-end developments, which include five and six star hotel resorts, a golf course next to the Marina Yacht Club, offices, shopping complexes, hospitals, universities, and luxury homes.
The project will take 15 to 20 years to complete.
“This is a massive project that has huge financial implications which the state must carefully consider, especially during this pandemic.
“When national and world economies are in trouble and there will be a downturn in the tourism sector for years to come, this project should be studied first.
“Why build a playground for the rich when the scarce financial resources can be better used to meet the basic sustainable development needs of our people?
“The priority is not huge high-end development that will only benefit a few and keep their pockets happy.
“It appears that not much thought has been given about the environmental impacts of such a project which will destroy the beautiful and natural environment of Langkawi and is against the interest and welfare of ordinary people like the fishermen who will be affected in the long term.
“Surely, what is not good for Penang is also not good for Kedah. We hope that this unsound venture is scrapped,” said Meenaskhi. – The Vibes, January 21, 2021
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