Penang has opportunity to fulfil EIA requirement for PSR project

Published by New Straits Times • 27/06/2020 • 02:13 pm

Deputy Environment and Water Minister Datuk Dr Ahmad Masrizal Muhammad (2nd from left) said the Penang government should be given an opportunity to fulfil all requirements stated in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report first, before further decisions are made on the project. – NSTP/DANIAL SAAD

GEORGE TOWN: Despite Pas’ objection to the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project, the massive 1,800ha reclamation plan, which will see the creation of three man-made islands, will proceed as planned.

Deputy Environment and Water Minister Datuk Dr Ahmad Masrizal Muhammad said the Penang government should be given an opportunity to fulfil all requirements stated in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report first, before further decisions are made on the project.

“Let us give a chance to the state (government) to fulfil all the requirements first and see how it goes. As long as it is able to meet the requirements, there is nothing for the state (government) to be afraid of. That should be the way.

“As for Pas, there is also nothing wrong with the party expressing the people’s concerns towards the project. This is a democratic country after all. It will create a positive check and balance.

“We have to be fair to everyone as far as this is concerned,” he said after concluding his two-day working visit to Universiti Sains Malaysia, today.

Penang Pas recently submitted an objection letter to Environment and Water Minister Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, urging that the government revoke its approval for the reclamation project.

The party said the project would cause permanent damage to the environment and undermine the rice bowl of fishermen in the state and Perak.

The PSR project, off the southern coast of the island, obtained EIA approval from the Department of Environment (DoE), which came with 72 conditions last year.

Ahmad Masrizal said if necessary, the ministry could play the role of mediator to make sure everything is in place.

He said the only aspect of the project the ministry is directly involved in is approval of the EIA report

“However, there may be some confusion. When we talk about the approval, it should be seen in the context of also fulfilling all 72 requirements,” he noted.

The reclamation project will be used to fund the state’s ambitious RM46 billion Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP).

Penang fishermen have been opposing reclamation since 2015.

Environmentalists opposing the PSR project argue that such a massive development would adversely impact the livelihood of fishermen and the marine ecosystem in the southern part of the island.

Even former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had vowed that action would be taken if it is found that the PSR project is negatively impacting the public and environment.