PSR project critical for Penang’s future, says state exco

Diterbitkan oleh New Straits Times • 14/10/2020 • 01:31 pm

State Transport and Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the PSR was not simply a reclamation project for the purpose of property speculation.- NSTP/MIKAIL ONG.

GEORGE TOWN: The state government has defended the controversial Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project, saying it is a critical project for the state’s future.

State Transport and Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the PSR was not simply a reclamation project for the purpose of property speculation.

“Rather, the PSR serves as a catalyst for the state’s economy, just like the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone and its neighbouring Bayan Baru township back in the 1970s.

“Without Bayan Lepas, Penang will surely not achieve the success it has today as among the most developed states, (known for) its competitiveness and habitability.

“Taking the same spirit, the PSR project was conceived,” he said when replying to a question by Mohd Yusni Mat Piah (Pas-Penaga) at the state legislative assembly sitting here today.

Yusni had asked about domestic water usage by the people and the state’s development infrastructure, and whether water was sufficient.

He had also said that if water was insufficient, why the need for the PSR project.

Elaborating, Zairil said the PSR project involved a massive 1,800ha reclamation, divided into three islands.

According to him, the first island to be reclaimed is island A, which is the biggest island at 920ha.

“The focus of this island is not as residential or commercial centres, although both elements will be included.

“Rather, the focus for island A will be to prepare new industrial land. The industrial area for island A will not only be brown fields but green fields, designed according to world industrial needs.

“When we see the demands and needs of the world’s biggest companies, their needs no longer focus on cheap labour or domestic incentives. They now focus on the ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) factors.

“In other words, they will choose investment sites which meet international ESG specifications. So, with this reclamation, we hope to attract all the big companies so that the people of Penang can get high-paying jobs,” he said.