GEORGE TOWN – The Penang State Fishermen's Association (Pen Mutiara) and Tg Bungah Residents Association (TBRA) have joined the chorus objecting to the Penang South Islands projects, after the issue was raised by two lawmakers here.
Pen Mutiara chairman Mahadi Md Rodzi said in a statement today that the fishing and coastal communities are increasingly being threatened by uncontrolled development.
“The fishing community is a contributor of seafood to most communities, especially the B40 community. Our contributions to help preserve the environment and provide food to the local community are invaluable.
“The greed of some parties to generate profits by reclaiming the sea will have a negative impact, not only to the fishing community but also to fishing sites that should be preserved.”
Mahadi also urged the state to not ignore warnings of environmental challenges issued by the Environment Department in 2019.
“If the fishery resources are depleted, then the fishing community will automatically be threatened. No money can replace the environmental destruction that threatens the community if this project is carried out.
“Pen Mutiara has repeatedly voiced objections to this mega project, but every objection voiced is often ignored by the Penang government. The state government should be more proactive in conserving seafood and ensuring the survival of the fishing community and not just in favour of development,” he said.
Mahadi also thanked Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar and Kepala Batas MP Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican for speaking out.
Meanwhile, TBRA has also expressed its concerns on the PSI project.
“The PSI project raises many concerns about the permanent negative impact that will be incurred on the environment, and on the people living in the surrounding communities.
“The Penang government argues that for the state to maintain its competitive edge, the project is essential. However, TBRA is concerned that the state continuously fails to take into consideration the health, environmental, and social impacts of this massive endeavour.
“Zairil points to an independent study by PricewaterhouseCoopers to back his claim that the PSI would be a key recovery driver of the state. Unfortunately, this study has not been made available to the rakyat – and we hope that our YB would be kind and responsible enough to share the entire study freely on his social media platforms.
“While it is impossible to say with certainty what the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic will be for Penang and its government’s proclivity for mega projects, what has become obvious is that employees have ditched their commutes and office spaces, and switched to working from their homes,” said TBRA treasurer Zulfikar Abdul Aziz.
Zairil Khir Johari is Tg Bungah assemblyman, and Penang Infrastructure and Transport Committee chairman.
The association said it hopes the state will look into business models for infrastructure where parks, trails, and other green spaces need to take priority.
“Perhaps the state government needs to rethink its mega projects – like the PSI, which involves filling sand/rock material equivalent to 76,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools into a narrow strait with a sensitive ecological system.
“Anything that decreases dependence on cars is a good thing for climate change and sustainability, and its effect on the family budget and the cost of urban infrastructure.
“TBRA is encouraged by the rapid appearance of new bike lanes on the island and hope that the government will use this crisis to rebuild our economy based on better, modern, and more humane strategies. We need a very different kind of economics if we are to build a socially just and ecologically sound future for the next generation.”
On May 31, Nurul Izzah said now is not the time to push for the proposed PSI project, and better to preserve the valuable fishing spots in the affected areas to improve food security, especially amid the pandemic.
“While my fellow party members and I initially supported the push for better public transport, we began to develop doubts when PTMP evolved to include mega highways across hills and rivers, light rail transits, monorails, a skycab, and land reclamation.
“Therefore, we have to weigh this matter against the priorities of environmental protection and well-being and the livelihoods of our constituents. The losses and risks of this project far outweigh any possible gains to the state and its people.
“PSR (now also referred to as Penang South Islands, or PSI) has consistently drawn my opposition through internal channels, public statements, as well as questions raised in Parliament,” she said. – The Vibes, June 3, 2021
