The Chief Minister of Penang, Chow Kon Yeow announced on 11 May 2023 that three island reclamation project would be reduced by 49% to 2,500 acres, from 4500 acres. Only one island would be built instead of the original three.
We still find this unacceptable as 2,500 acres of reclamation is very large and will affect the fishery spawning grounds and the environment. Plus it will involve large volumes of sand for the reclamation from Penang or Perak waters, causing more damage.
It is not correct to say a smaller number of fishermen will be affected as it is about destroying mudflats and coral reefs which would affect the marine habitat and shrimp migration. So it is not only the fishermen in the immediate site who would be affected but also those fishing along the Penang, Kedah and Perak waters.
There is no need for the project at all since the funding for the LRT is already promised by the Federal government. There is absolutely no justification and the Chief Minister himself has admitted that we do have land of about 12,000 hectares in Seberang Perai.
So, Scrap the Project. Not Scale Down!
Meenakshi Raman
President