‘Not Our Fault’: Penang firm denies blame for Sg Batu pollution linked to Silicon Island reclamation

BAYAN LEPAS – The Penang Infrastructure Corporation (PIC), a state-appointed entity overseeing the Silicon Island project, has dismissed allegations by local fishermen that reclamation work is the primary cause of excessive silt pollution along the Sungai Batu coastline.

Earlier today, fishermen from Sungai Batu urged a temporary suspension of the Silicon Island reclamation until a thorough investigation into the pollution could be conducted.

Fishermen’s unit head, Zakaria Ismail, expressed concerns, stating there was a “strong possibility” that the 2,300-acre artificial island project is a significant contributor to the pollution. The murky waters have disrupted fishing activities, affecting their livelihoods.

In response, PIC chief executive officer Datuk Seri Farizan Darus, highlighted that both the Department of Environment (DoE) Penang and project developer Silicon Island Development Sdn Bhd (SID) had jointly investigated the issue on August 5.

“There were no suspicious findings from the implementation of the project,” Farizan said.

Three days later, during a stakeholder session with the Fisheries Development Authority, the southern Penang fishermen’s association, and local fishermen, PIC and SID provided detailed explanations regarding the concerns. These were documented during the session, Farizan noted.

Natural causes, such as unusually high tides and the Southwest Monsoon, were identified as likely contributors to the sediment disruption, he added. The environmental impact assessment (EIA) conducted for the project had previously flagged the area as a mudflat.

Research on the coastline from 2014 to 2016 also confirmed a substantial layer of soft clay on the seabed, which may be disturbed naturally.

“(In addition) an engagement session held by the information officers of the one-stop fishermen service centre with several local fishermen also found that natural phenomena such as massive high tides and Southwest Monsoon would disrupt the muddy seabed (which caused the silts).

“The coastline of southern Penang island is a mudflat area, which was mentioned during the preparation of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report (for the project),” added Farizan.

Continuous monitoring, mitigation efforts

Farizan said that routine monitoring has been ongoing since the reclamation works commenced in September 2023. Observations were carried out quarterly, with reports submitted to the Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID), which found no significant changes to the seabed.

He emphasised that sediment and erosion control measures are in place, as outlined in the project’s EIA and Environmental Management Plan (EMP). These include regular maintenance of silt curtains and sand mattresses.

“The report (from the monitoring works) has been submitted to DID, where its analysis found that there were no significant changes to the seabed from the comparison done in the early and subsequent observations.”

Additionally, all dredging operations are monitored 24 hours a day via the Dredging and Dumping Monitoring System (DDMS), which ensures no material is extracted from restricted zones. This system is supervised by the Marine Department and other relevant agencies.

“PIC remains committed to ensuring that all reclamation works are carried out with adherence to strict guidelines set for the wellbeing of the environment and local communities,” added Farizan.

He urged anyone witnessing unusual phenomena to report them to the nearest one-stop fishermen service centres in Permatang Damar Laut or Sungai Batu, or contact the Pantas hotline at 1300-88-9700. – September 7, 2024