GEORGE TOWN – Penang MCA has called on the state government to explain the current status of the Jelutong landfill redevelopment project here, popularly dubbed Babylon City by the Sea.
Penang MCA public service and complaints bureau deputy chief Francis Goh said the RM2.2 billion project for the construction of condominiums, commercial buildings, and public parks had been delayed since 2016.
Describing it as the state government’s “white elephant”, Francis said the state MCA found the project impossible to implement due to technical issues and environmental pollution.
“We received complaints from local residents who demanded an explanation from the state government on the latest status of development projects worth RM2.2 billion at this landfill.
“It is understood that the open tender by request-for-proposal for this project was implemented in 2015 but it was submitted again in 2016, and so far there seems to be no progress on this project,” he said at a press conference at the Penang MCA office here today.
The 36ha development project is a collaboration between the state government through the Penang Development Corporation and private developer company PLB Engineering Bhd.
Francis said that following a survey with environmental non-governmental organisations, they were of the opinion that the landfill area was not suitable for further development because it was feared to be dangerous to the population and the environment.
“There are almost 10,000 residents in the area near the site with more than 3,000 residents within a radius of less than 200m from the site.
“If there is a release of gas from garbage there during the development work, the locals will certainly face the consequences,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mutiara Idaman 2 Residents Association secretary Mazlan Pakwanteh said the locals were also looking forward to the latest developments on the project which had been delayed for a long time.
“From what we heard, this project was supposed to start in 2016, but so far it seems that no development work has been carried out at the site, so we want to know the latest status of this project,” he said. – The Vibes, June 21, 2022
