PSR project to proceed as planned, says Ahmad Zakiyuddin

Published by New Straits Times• 24/02/2021• 07:18pm

The Penang government has not received any injunction or stop work order to prevent it from continuing to procure information of fishermen who will be affected by the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project. – NSTP file pic

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has not received any injunction or stop work order to prevent it from continuing to procure information of fishermen who will be affected by the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project.

Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman said this was because the appeal process for the approval of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) would not affect the exercise to procure the affected fishermen’s information.

“With regards to statements that the project should not proceed since the appeal is pending, the state government wants to stress that the appeal process will not affect the running of the project,” he told newsmen here today.

The fishing community had filed an appeal against the approval of the EIA report by the director-general of Environmental Quality.

The Appeals Board has yet to hear the appeal.

Prior to this, Badan Pemikir Melayu Pulau Pinang (Pemikir) had questioned the desperate attempt by the state government to proceed with the project even though it is pending the appeal’s hearing.

Chairman Datuk Dr Muhamad Farid Saad had also said that the state government seemed to issue confusing statements with regards to negotiations with stakeholders for the project.

According to Zakiyuddin, the state government is disappointed with the actions of certain quarters who are out to create fear among the fishermen on the reclamation project.

Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman. – NSTP/DANIAL SAAD

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has not received any injunction or stop work order to prevent it from continuing to procure information of fishermen who will be affected by the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project.

Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman said this was because the appeal process for the approval of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) would not affect the exercise to procure the affected fishermen’s information.

“With regards to statements that the project should not proceed since the appeal is pending, the state government wants to stress that the appeal process will not affect the running of the project,” he told newsmen here today.

The fishing community had filed an appeal against the approval of the EIA report by the director-general of Environmental Quality.

The Appeals Board has yet to hear the appeal.

Prior to this, Badan Pemikir Melayu Pulau Pinang (Pemikir) had questioned the desperate attempt by the state government to proceed with the project even though it is pending the appeal’s hearing.

Chairman Datuk Dr Muhamad Farid Saad had also said that the state government seemed to issue confusing statements with regards to negotiations with stakeholders for the project.

According to Zakiyuddin, the state government is disappointed with the actions of certain quarters who are out to create fear among the fishermen on the reclamation project.