PSR compensation package for fishermen to be discussed this Friday

Published by Buletin Mutiara • 02/09/2020

THE special purpose vehicle, Penang Infrastructure Corporation Sdn Bhd (PICSB), together with the project delivery partner SRS Consortium, are in their final stage of formulating a compensation and aid package for the fishermen who are affected by the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project.

PICSB chief executive officer Datuk Seri Farizan Darus said the proposal would be presented to the Fishermen’s Task Force Committee, headed by Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman, this Friday (Sept 4).

“The proposal is pertaining to the issues and requests by the affected fishermen. The results from the meeting on Friday (Sept 4) will be presented to the state executive council (exco) for approval.

“We hope to present the finalised proposal to the exco by this month. We can do more engagement with the affected fishermen and related parties once the proposal is approved,” Farizan told Buletin Mutiara at the stakeholders’ engagement centre (Pusat Perkhidmatan Setempat Nelayan), off Permatang Damar Laut today.

Farizan speaking to Buletin Mutiara at the stakeholders’ engagement centre (Pusat Perkhidmatan Setempat Nelayan), off Permatang Damar Laut.

Farizan said that the fishermen were more receptive to the proposed PSR project now after they understand more about the project.

“It is good that the fishermen are getting information from the right source. The stakeholders’ engagement centre is here to provide them with the right information about the project,” he said.

The PICSB is the special purpose vehicle that will be leading the implementation of the mega projects under the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP).

PICSB was successfully incorporated on July 9 this year.

The company will be working on the implementation of mega projects in the state, such as the Bayan Lepas LRT (BL LRT), Pan Island Link 1 and 2A (PIL 1 and PIL 2A) and the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) that have been entrusted to SRS Consortium as the project delivery partner.

PICSB will also be working on the implementation of the three highways and the undersea tunnel projects that are entrusted to the Consortium Zenith Construction (CZC) Sdn Bhd as the design and built contractor.

In addition, the PICSB will be involved in the planning and development of the PSR, which include the topside development.

Farizan has been on the go the entire month since he was appointed as the CEO of PICSB on Aug 3 this year.

He had served as the Penang State Secretary for eight years and nine months prior to his appointment as the CEO of PICSB.

“I was also monitoring the mega projects when I was the State Secretary. Now that I am the CEO of the special purpose vehicle, it is my duty is to plan, manage, monitor and deliver the projects.

“This position requires me to be more hands-on and to be more focus on the implementation,” Farizan said.

Apart from visiting the southern coast and the stakeholders’ engagement centre three times within a month, Farizan had also attended the workshop on the Social Impact Management Plan (SIMP) on Aug 7 to address the issues faced by fishermen.

“The workshop, chaired by the Deputy Chief Minister I, was attended by Penang Domestic and International Trade, Consumer Affairs and Entrepreneur Development Commitee chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain, state Health, Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry and Rural Development Commitee chairman Dr Norlela Ariffin, the respective state assemblymen, government departments and agencies,” he said.

Story by Christopher Tan

Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi