GEORGE TOWN – The Penang Fishermen’s Association (Pen Mutiara) is set on challenging the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project’s environmental impact assessment (EIA) before tackling compensation issues related to the mega project.
Its chairman, Mahadi Md Rodzi, told The Vibes that challenging the EIA during its hearing on March 23, 24 and 26 is now its primary focus.
“However, if we lose the challenge, then I want the Penang government to discuss the compensation plan with us, including on losses to be incurred by the fishermen when this mega project takes off.
“I mean, do you think RM20,000 is adequate to compensate the fishermen?
“They (the state government) say that the fishermen can continue with their livelihood once the PSR project starts, but I say it is absolutely impossible," he said.
On the proposed compensation, Mahadi said nothing has yet been set in stone, including whether the fishermen will be provided with new boats.
He said in October last year, Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman had approached Pen Mutiara to discuss the proposed social impact management plan.
However, no in-depth discussions were had then on the issue.
On talk that Pen Mutiara is threatening or attempting to incite discontentment among fishermen, Mahadi said: “I say no, that is totally wrong.”
“I did not force the chiefs of the various fishermen units to challenge the EIA report.
“It was their own decision, I cannot decide for them.
“This is really their voice, I am just a representative for the fishermen.
“I feel that Zakiyuddin does not really understand the workings of Pen Mutiara and only chooses to attack us, making us look like the ‘bad guys’ in this situation.
“When will the state government listen to the voices from the grassroots and not the developers?” – The Vibes, March 1, 2021
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