04 Apr No reclamation without DOE approval, Penang exco clarifies
Published by Malaysia Kini • 04/04/2017 • 03:33 pm
No reclamation works are being carried out in Permatang Damar Laut, where three artificial islands are planned as part of the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP).
State executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow said reclamation will not begin until the environmental impact assessment (EIA) is approved by the Department of Environment (DOE).
“The minister can be rest assured that we hold close to our commitment, and will not violate any laws,” said Chow, who is also Penang DAP chief.
Chow was responding to Natural Resources and Environment Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar who remarked that the DOE has not received the EIA report for the land reclamation in Penang.
Bernama quoted Wan Junaidi as saying that the developer of the project which started work without the EIA could face action under the Environment Quality Act 1974.
In a written reply in Dewan Rakyat yesterday, the minister warned that the DOE can issue a stop-work order for projects without any EIA approvals.
In the press conference today, Chow vowed that the state government would not allow its project delivery partner SRS Consortium to commit infringement of law.
He said any work on the site currently is related to the preparation to submit the EIA report to the DOE.
“The EIA report will be comprehensive, as it will contain eight volumes,” the Padang Kota assemblyperson said, adding it would include the hydraulic study and impact assessment studies on fisheries, social impact, traffic impact, water quality, land of sea turtles and tsunami impact.
Penang Umno and the Consumer Association of Penang had previously criticised the reclamation in Permatang Damar Laut as affecting the lives of fisherfolk.
On Dec 17 last year, the state government organised a public dialogue session, as required by the DOE, which was attended by 853 people, Chow added.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who was also present at the press conference, invited Wan Junaidi to see for himself the works at the site, to “get the true picture and not be misled by others”.
“No one is stricter than Chow. Rest assured nothing is happening on the site.”
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