Penang reclamation to begin next month

Published by The Vibes• 05/02/2021• 06:00pm

The Penang South Reclamation project will be done gradually, with the state government hoping to reclaim some 10ha every month. – Twitter pic, February 5, 2021

GEORGE TOWN – The much-anticipated Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project will commence next month after the state managed to obtain the relevant approvals despite civil society disapproval.

Government-linked company Penang Infrastructure Corporation Sdn Bhd (PIC), which is the custodian of the Penang Transport Master Plan’s infrastructure projects, said the reclamation for Island A parcel comprising 971ha will begin next month and should be completed by 2029.

PIC chief executive officer Datuk Seri Farizan Darus said the entire PSR reclamation drive will only be done in stages.

“We will start with Island A first. Each month, we hope to reclaim around 10ha and it will be done without disrupting any other economic activities such as the passage to sea for our inshore fishermen,” Farizan told reporters in a press conference here today.

Island A will be designed to resemble a boomerang concept with the nearest land point on the island situated at Permatang Damar Laut and visible to aircrafts approaching the Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas.

The project delivery partner is the SRS Consortium, which consists of three stakeholders – the listed companies of Gamuda Berhad and Ideal Property Development Sdn Bhd as well as Loh Phoy Yen Holdings Sdn. Bhd, the private investment vehicle of former Penang tycoon Tan Sri Loh Boon Siew.

The remaining two islands (Islands B and C) will only be reclaimed after Island A is completed.

“Everything will be done gradually, and we will adjust accordingly to the situation,” said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman, who was also at the event.

He also said that the project can commence pending the approval of the environment management plan by the Environment Department, which is expected to be given when the project begins.

The Penang government has reached out to the 1,615 inshore fishermen in a bid to assuage opposition to the Penang South Reclamation project. – The Vibes file pic, February 5, 2021

He said that Covid-19 has impacted the project, but the developer will take the necessary precautions such as physical distancing and avoiding crowds when construction begins.

PIC was formed to oversee the execution of the Penang Transport Master Plan, of which almost 80% of the payment for it would be borne by land sales through the reclamation project.

The master plan encompasses paired inter-district roads, the cross channel undersea tunnel and a light rail transit system, as well as three highways linking Gurney Drive, Air Itam and part of Teluk Bahang to the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway.

PIC will also be involved in planning and developing the three reclaimed islands.

Zakiyuddin said the social impact assessments will be done concurrently with the reclamation drive.

On another matter, despite perennial disagreements with the Pens Mutiara Fishermen Association, Zakiyuddin said that the state has reached out to the 1,615 inshore fishermen who will be given an ex-gratia quantum of between RM12,960 and 20,000 each.

The fishermen will on top of that, get four new jetties to be constructed by the state government and be provided with powerful rotor engines to allow them to fish further offshore.

The state government will also upgrade the landing zones and provide social amenities such as landscaping and replanting of mangroves at an area stretching between Gertak Sanggul and Teluk Tempoyak in the Balik Pulau district.

Zakiyuddin also did not rule out that the ex-gratia quantum may be revised upwards if the affected fishermen put across valid points for a higher quantum in pay out.

“The ex-gratia include education and housing schemes for those adversely affected.”

About 75% of the pay-out will be banked in next month with the remainder in January next year, said Zakiyuddin. – The Vibes, February 5, 2021