BUKIT MERTAJAM – Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar has described fishermen’s victory in challenging the environmental impact assessment (EIA) approval for the controversial Penang South Islands (PSI) project as a moral win for the group.
“Alhamdulillah, this is a moral victory for fishermen. I would like to highlight the positive development through the Selangor government’s announcement.
"God willing, if we prioritise our nation’s treasures and the future, we can always hope for the best results by leaders at the highest level,” she told reporters after attending the launch of the Covid-19 Emergency Careline in Taman Guar Perahu here today.
This comes after Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari yesterday announced that the state government has decided to degazette only 42ha of the Kuala Langat North Forest Reserve (KLNFR) instead of 536ha.
He gave an assurance that his administration will put a stop to plans for development beyond the stated areas, and said it has cancelled the handover of the land to the company involved.
He said the state government will initiate the process of regazetting the remaining KLNFR land.
The fishing community’s victory yesterday sets back the Penang government’s project for the creation of three man-made islands.
In May, Nurul Izzah was the only PKR leader to openly protest against PSI, and urged the Federal and Penang governments to cancel it immediately.
She described the project as having strayed from its original purpose, focusing more on the interests of some parties, ignoring environmental sustainability, and adversely affecting fishermen’s livelihood.
Her statement deals a huge blow to the Pakatan Harapan-led state government, with Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abd Rahman, also of PKR, spearheading the project as Fishermen’s Task Force chairman.
PSI was also the subject of controversy in the state assembly last week, when Seberang Jaya rep Dr Afif Bahardin urged the state government to make known its true stance on the project.
The project involves the development of three 1,700ha islands, and is expected to compete with Singapore’s Marina Bay.
If approved, PSI is set to fund various infrastructure projects under the Penang Transport Master Plan, including the construction of light rail transit and monorail links, water taxis, cable cars, undersea tunnels, and several highways. – The Vibes, September 9, 2021
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