Why the double standard over PSR project, asks Zairil

Published by Buletin Mutiara• 01/12/2021

THE Penang government has questioned the double standard treatment that the state has received over its Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project.

State Transport and Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari (PH – Tanjung Bunga) said such treatment is unfair to Penangites in response to a supplementary question by Jason H’ng Mooi Lye (PH – Jawi), who wanted to know why it is so difficult for the PSR project to be implemented, at the State Assembly today.

The PSR project involves the reclamation of three islands at the south-end of the Penang island, measuring a total of 4,500 acres in land size.

“Although, we have carefully followed and met all the 72 conditions stated in the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report, the project still fails to start due to the recent decision made by the Appeal Board to revoke the EIA approval of the PSR project.

“As a matter of fact, the reasons given in the EIA cancellation are completely unacceptable. So, the decision by the Appeal Board is an injustice towards Penang.

“The state government also did not understand why is it so hard for this project to materialise although this project is not so big if compared to other reclamation projects in other states such as Johor and Melaka.

“Why is it so easy for other states to implement their mega reclamation projects but it is otherwise for Penang, although we have ensured that all mitigation measures will be implemented according to the EIA report.

“We do respect the legislative process in the country, however, this is clearly a form of victimisation and double standards towards Penang,” Zairil told the State Assembly.

On Sept 8 this year, the Appeal Board had revoked the EIA approval of the PSR project, saying that the EIA was found to be ultra vires, null and void of Section 34A(4)(a) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974.

To a supplementary question by Goh Choon Aik (PH – Bukit Tambun) whether there is any plan by the state government to implement Bayan Lepas Light Rail Transit (BL LRT) project first while waiting for the PSR project to start, Zairil said the state government would most probably called for Request For Proposal (RFP) for the project next year.

“Currently, the Penang government is studying the possibility of calling for an RFP next year to invite all the interested consortiums or companies to build the BL LRT and at the same time also to give them the opportunity to offer any suitable business model that can be considered for the BL LRT project,” he said.

The BL LRT project is part of the three main components under the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP). The other two components are the Pan Island Link (PIL1 and PIL2A) highways and the PSR project.

Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Alissala Thian