Penang still committed to PSI reclamation project

Published by The Vibes Dotcom • 11/12/2021 • 04:57 pm

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow at the opening of the Fishermen’s One Stop Service Centre (PPSN) at Sg Batu today. – ARULLDAS SINNAPPAN/The Vibes pic, December 11, 2021

GEORGE TOWN – Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state government is still committed to implementing the Penang South Island (PSI) project for the benefit of the people in the future and to secure Penang’s economic growth.

“The state government is currently in the process of applying for a judicial review of the decision by the Environment Department (DoE) appeal board to revoke the previous EIA approval.

“At the same time, the state government and the SRS Consortium project implementing partners are also updating the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report to be resubmitted to the DoE for re-approval,” he said.

Chow said this during the opening of the Fishermen’s One Stop Service Centre (PPSN) at Sg Batu near here today.

The first PPSN was opened in 2016 in Permatang Damar Laut while the second PPSN was opened in Gertak Sanggul in 2017.

Also present was the state Infrastructure and Transport committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari, Bayan Lepas assemblyman Azrul Mahathir Aziz, Deputy State Secretary (Development) Datuk Azhar Arshad, state economic planning division’s transport section head Datuk Lim Hock Seng, Penang infrastructure corporation chief executive officer Datuk Seri Farizan Darus, and southwest district officer, Mohd Hafiz Aswad Nadzri.

PSI representatives SRS Consortium adviser Datuk Seri Ooi Eng Hock and SRS Consortium project director Szeto Wai Loong were also present during the event.

Chow said the establishment of Fishermen’s One Stop Service Centres would function as an information hub for residents and local communities to obtain information on the South Penang Embankment Project (PSR) in line with the vision of Penang 2030.

He said PPSN emphasises the development of green and smart domestic families.

The information officer could conduct meetings with local fishermen individually and in groups to obtain information on the needs and wants of the community as well as to provide authentic information on the PSR project.

“The information and feedback from fishermen collected by PPSN has helped the state government formulate a Social Impact Management Plan (SIMP) scheme that will benefit the community and a community involvement programme branded as Pelitaku,” Chow said.

He added the fishing community was among the 45,034 people involved in the engagement session through various meetings that were held from 2016 to November 30 this year for the Penang Transport Master Plan project, which includes the PSR project.

“As a one-stop centre, PPSN also registers the names of people who are interested in working in the development of PSI as well as coordinates the Pelitaku Community Involvement Program, which implements SIMP schemes such as free tuition classes for children of fishermen in primary and secondary schools, and short-term technical courses for fishermen.

“PPSN also runs various community programmes with CSR (corporate social responsibility) elements such as food basket donations, festive season donations as well as natural disaster relief to help communities living near the PSI site.

“PPSN will also manage site visits, assist in implementing the Environmental Management Plan, and manage fishermen’s feedback and complaints once reclamation work has been allowed to begin,” Chow added.

He said apart from establishing the new Sg Batu PPSN, the state government has also upgraded Permatang Damar Laut PPSN and Gertak Sanggul PPSN recently to provide better facilities for staff on duty and community members who visit both centres.

The expansion project had also provided business and employment opportunities for two local contractors from Sg Batu and Gertak Sanggul to build and expand the three PPSNs. – The Vibes, December 11, 2021.