GEORGE TOWN - The Penang Fisherman’s Association (Pen Mutiara) will not accept ex-gratia payment and allowances for the proposed Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project as the sum was just imposed on the community without any prior consultation or negotiation.
Chairman of Pen Mutiara, Mahadi Md Rodzi told The Vibes that they have not had a meeting with anyone from the state government nor have they been called to discuss the proposed compensation.
He said, although the Penang state assembly decided to compensate the fishermen, the former failed to notify the amount that the latter would receive.
Mahadi reminded the state assemblymen that they, as elected representatives are supposed to serve the people, as they were chosen by the latter.
“Maybe they will meet us soon to discuss their suggestions. They need to remember that this is their suggestion, and they cannot say that their suggestions are something we need to accept.
“If that is the case, it can be looked on as a type of bribery, though I am not saying that they are looking to bribe us, but if there is no dialogue or negotiation, it looks like they are giving us money to keep us silent,” said Mahadi.
Asked about the state government’s claim that surveys and dialogues with the locals were done at Permatang Damar Laut and Teluk Kumbar, Mahadi said that the state should have gone through proper channels, as Pen Mutiara does not recognise those fishermen.
“If they are planning to give us RM15k to RM20k, it is a half-hearted effort. The question is, can they give us what is equal to what we will be earning when our source of income is cut?
“We are talking about RM1.5k per month per fisherman, that is RM18k a year, now we are talking about three islands that will take 30 years to complete. Can they afford to pay?
“Right now, I am at a crossroads. If I say yes to the compensation, maybe NGOs will blame me for not fighting for the fishermen. But I have fought for them and taken the matter to Parliament. Now with this pandemic, we cannot organise any protests, our stand is to reject the plan,” he added.
Penang executive councillor Zairil Khir Johari, who is in charge of infrastructure, explained that the compensation package involves ex-gratia payment and monthly allowances while the second package is a support package.
“The sum to be received by fishermen for the PSR project is estimated based on previous compensation packages paid out to fishermen in other projects such as the Jelutong coastal reclamation, the Second Penang Bridge and Seri Tanjung Pinang.
“The formula also took into account feedback from fishermen, input from relevant government agencies such as the fisheries department as well as other agencies.
“The proposed ex-gratia is planned to be paid gradually. The sum also differs for tekongs (boat owners) and awak-awak (crew) and depends on their proximity to the PSR site,” said Zairil.
He reiterated that the state has, through the fishermen’s service centres and the Fishermen Taskforce, engaged a total of 5,785 people to explain about the PSR
“The fishermen's input was compiled and discussed at a workshop with relevant government agencies. We are now close to finalising the ex-gratia and empowerment packages. The state will be meeting representatives of Pen Mutiara, the Southern Penang Fishermen Association (PNK PPS) and relevant unit chiefs to negotiate packages,” he added.
To further aid the fishermen, four jetties will be built in Permatang Damar Laut, Sg Batu, Teluk Kumbar and Gertak Sanggul equipped with relevant facilities and a navigation channel that allows 24-hour access to the sea. The first to be built will be the multipurpose jetty at Permatang Damar Laut that will also have tourist facilities.
“It is a misconception that PSR will be detrimental to fishermen and their families. PSR is designed and planned as an inclusive development that will not cause fishermen to lose their jobs,” he said.
Fishermen will also get new jetties equipped with relevant facilities and a navigation channel that allows 24-hour access to the sea. Currently, they can only go to sea during high tide.
More details on the ex-gratia package will be realised after negotiations are done and finalised by the state, said Zairil – The Vibes, October 24, 2020
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