GE15: not all fishermen against PSI project, says Bayan Lepas association

GEORGE TOWN – Not all fishermen in Penang hate the mega Penang South Islands (PSI) reclamation project and the Pakatan Harapan (PH) state government for backing it, said the Bayan Lepas Fishermen Welfare Association here.

Association secretary Fajinah Jaafar said it is unfair to portray PH as the villain just because of the proposed PSI project.

One of the few fisherwomen in Penang, she has also taken offence to the call for 6,000 fishermen here to not vote for parties in support of the PSI project.

“Our association is appealing to all non-governmental organisations, fishermen representatives, and politicians to stop politicising the PSI project. Once completed, it is expected to help inshore fishermen to earn a living.”

She said in a statement that the relevant authorities need to listen to the views of genuine fishermen instead of the “noise” generated by “politicians” posing as fishermen here.

“The reality is many of the so-called fishermen are hobbyists. They do not do it for a living, unlike us and our association. When we accept state aid, we are castigated just because we want to increase our earning capabilities.”

The state government has allocated inshore fishermen with ex-gratia payments, new boat engines, and navigation equipment, as well as education opportunities for their children, she added.

The state has said on several occasions that PSI would not disrupt commercial fishing here.

Last year, the association secured support signatures for PSI from 1,521 Bayan Lepas residents, including 435 fishermen in southern Penang.

“So not every fisherman dislikes the PSI.”

Earlier this week, PH’s Balik Pulau candidate Datuk Muhammed Bakhtiar Wan Chik of PKR said his party had been trying to dissuade its coalition partner and the state government from going ahead with the project.

He added that Penang PKR chief Nurul Izzah Anwar had conveyed the party's stance to DAP, who leads the state government.

Penang Fishermen’s Association Ibrahim Che Ros called on some 6,000 members to refrain from voting for those who support the PSI project.

The PSI project, covering 17sq km, involves the development of three man-made islands totalling 1,800ha in waters off Permatang Damar Laut, near Bayan Lepas.

It was introduced as a financial model for the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), which is valued at RM46 billion. Among the proposals in the PTMP are three highways and a light rail transit to ease traffic congestion in the state. – The Vibes, November 16, 2022