GEORGE TOWN – The Penang government is committed towards undertaking the Penang South Islands (PSI) mega reclamation project as it is designed for future generations to benefit from, state executive councillor Zairil Khir Johari said today.
He said that despite the objections raised by civil society and sections of the fishing community, Penang needs a new economic zone for investors to contribute to industry, housing, and the creation of skilled jobs.
Zairil said that if the government had not in the past developed Bayan Lepas into a free industrial zone, some parcels of which were reclaimed, the rate of youngsters migrating out of the state would have been even higher today.
He said this after receiving a courtesy call from NGO Lestari Alam Sekitar Pulau Pinang today. The NGO’s representatives met him and Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow to indicate their support for the controversial PSI reclamation off Permatang Damar Laut on the southern coast of the island.
Its chairman Tan Chen Tat had claimed on Facebook that Lestari has accumulated 1,521 signatures from residents in the island’s southern district, 435 of whom are fishermen.
“Similar to the Bayan Lepas industrial zone, the state sees the PSI as a crucial component for the future development of Penang. This means we need a new economic zone,” said Zairil.
On September 10, the Environment Department announced that its appeals board had rescinded the approval of an earlier environmental impact assessment (EIA) in 2019 to commence the project.
It said that a new EIA report must be submitted and processed, as required under Section 34A of the Environmental Quality Act 1974, if the proposed project is to proceed.
Zairil said the state will apply for a judicial review of the decision made by the board.
He said that the decision to revoke the EIA approval was based on technical reasoning.
“There were no substantial arguments based on the environmental aspect,” he said.
He said that the state has followed all processes, and has nothing to hide.
Chow, who was present, said that as a legitimate government, Penang will always obey the rule of law when it comes to any development project.
“We will only commence a project once approval is given,” he said.
The initial work undertaken was based on the requirements of the project’s approving agencies, Chow said. – The Vibes, October 7, 2021
