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Cancel The Proposed Aquaculture Project In Pandak Putih, Kuala Kurau, Kerian District, Perak

  • Publication Date | July 30, 2020
  • Document Type | Media Statement
  • Programmes | Marine & Fisheries
  • Issues | Coastal Ecosystem, Community-based Organisations, Conservation, Fisheries, Pollution
  • Tags | Aquaculture, Fisherfolks, JARING, Kuala Kurau, Pandak Putih
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Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) urges the Perak State Government, Kerian District and Land Office, Perak State Fisheries Department, Kerian District Fisheries Office, the local authority, Department of Irrigation and Drainage and all other relevant authorities take into serious account the interest of the local community following the development of an aquaculture project in Kampung Pandak Putih, near Kuala Kurau in the state of Perak.

The Kerian District and Land Office had previously informed that the status of the land was private land. However, SAM is of the view that the development on this private land should be reviewed by all the agencies that had provided their comments or gave technical support on certain aspects of the development.

Aquaculture ponds along the riverbank and the river reserve of the Kurau River will pose threats to the environment and subsequently the local community. Among the threats and adverse effects that will be faced by the local and fisher communities if this project proceeds are pollution due to the discharge of effluents from the aquaculture ponds, erosion of the Kurau riverbank, sedimentation of the river and problems arising from boats and other vehicles plying the area with their loads.

Location of the aquaculture site in Pandak Putih | SAM

In the long run, the marine resources in the surrounding area will most likely dwindle and face extinction. This has caused concern among the villagers of Kampung Pandak Putih as well as local fishers because this aquaculture project will have a negative impact on the environment, their lives and livelihood.

The local community here questioned whether the state government took heed from the  problems that occurred due to the operations of aquaculture ponds in neighbouring Sungai Kota, Bagan Tiang, Sungai Betol and Kuala Kurau. In the past, these aquaculture projects in  had caused negative impacts on the environment, residents and local fishers here.

According to the Malaysian Coastal Fishermen’s Education and Welfare Association (JARING) whom submitted a memorandum to several government agency representatives during the coastal fishers dialogue on 16th July 2020 at the Kuala Bagan Tiang Fisher Jetty, the lives of coastal fishermen in Kerian district continue to be under pressure because the issues plaguing their lives and livelihood have not been resolved for so long.

Aquaculture ponds along the riverbank and the river reserve of the Kurau River | SAM

Among the recommendations put forward by JARING in the memorandum is to cancel aquaculture activities in this area as well as cancel the construction of shrimp ponds on the banks of Sungai Kurau near Kampung Pandak Putih which will threaten fishery resources and catch of coastal and river fishers in nearby villages.

Apart from that, a review of the Draft Kerian District Local Plan 2035 found that this Plan did not mention the proposed aquaculture project to be developed in Pandak Putih. Furthermore, the types or categories of aquaculture to be introduced in this district focused on cockle culture, cage fish farming and ornamental fish culture.

In this regard, SAM and JARING urge the Perak State Government, Land and Mines Office, Kerian District and Land Office, Perak State & Kerian District Fisheries Offices, Irrigation and Drainage Department and other relevant authorities to cancel this aquaculture project to ensure the environment and welfare of fishermen as well as locals are protected.

MEENAKSHI RAMAN

President

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Testimonials

Sahabat Alam Malaysia adalah satu badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) yang telah sekian lama berjuang mempertahan kelestarian alam. Ia juga mendidik masyarakat tentang pentingnya kebersamaan dalam pemikiran dan tindakan agar alam ini dapat kita wariskan kepada generasi hadapan dalam keadaan yang elok dan terpelihara. Dalam pada itu juga SAM giat membantu golongan nelayan pantai dalam memperjuangkan hak-hak mereka sehinggalah tertubuhnya Persatuan Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Nelayan Pantai Malaysia (JARING). Nelayan pantai sepenuh masa ini dididik oleh SAM sehingga mereka mampu memainkan peranan sebagai pemimpin nelayan yang meneruskan kesinambungan memperjuangkan hak-hak nelayan pantai lainnya. Sebagai contoh SAM telah berjaya menyedarkan masyarakat nelayan keperluan menjaga hutan paya bakau untuk kebaikan hasil tangkapan nelayan itu sendiri.
Jamaluddin Mohamad Bualik
Jamaluddin Mohamad BualikPersatuan Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Jaringan Nelayan Pantai Malaysia (JARING)
During the 1980s, I used to read about the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) in the news. After retirement, some time in 2001, while lazing around, I read news about the construction of a carbon in leach plant using sodium cyanide to extract gold in Bukit Koman. My friends and I visited CAP and we were introduced to SAM and her legal team. We discussed the details of filing a case against the gold mining company and the department of environment with Ms Meenakshi Raman and her legal team. That was the beginning of a beautiful friendship between lawyers from SAM and many of us from Bukit Koman. We had many ups and downs in our struggle to shut down the gold mine that was causing a nuisance in our village. But, as a community we never gave up because SAM had our backs.
Hue Fui How
Hue Fui HowSecretary, Bukit Koman Ban Cyanide in Goldmining Action Committee (BCAC)
Sahabat Alam Malaysia adalah sebuah NGO yang memperjuangkan nasib masyarakat luar bandar khasnya. SAM menerima aduan-aduan masyarakat dan menyelesaikan masalah yang dihadapi. SAM telah mewujudkan ramai aktivis-aktivis sosial dan alam sekitar. Pada era 1980 dan 90an SAM sangat dihormati oleh masyarakat dan agensi kerajaan. Apabila media sosial menguasai maklumat maka SAM pun terkesan dan masalah masyarakat terus disalurkan dengan pelbagai cara. SAM perlu mewujudkan aktivis-aktivis pelapis yang muda untuk terus membantu masyarakat. SAM juga perlu membuat perubahan supaya banyak turun kelapangan dan jangan mengharapkan laporan media sahaja. Tingkatkan prestasi sebagaimana pada zaman kegemilangan SAM di era 80-90an.
Che Ani Mt Zain
Che Ani Mt Zain
SAM taught me the importance of social activism and the role it plays in upholding the rights of people and the protection of the environment. In my experience, SAM has never hesitated to speak up in defence of people and their environment, and has gone the extra mile to champion their rights, by helping communities take their battles to the higher ups and even to the courts.
Jessica Binwani
Jessica BinwaniPublic/Private Interest Lawyer
Semenjak kami kenal SAM, banyak pengalaman dan pengetahuan yg kami dapat. Kami telah belajar cara membuat baja asli daripada SAM. Semenjak itu, bermulalah minat kami dalam aktiviti pertanian. Dengan memperolehi kemahiran dalam membuat baja asli dan penanaman lestari, kami juga telah dapat menambahkan pendapatan sampingan kami. Ini lebih baik daripada tanah kami terbiar dan tidak diusahakan. Terima kasih SAM kerana sudi memberi bantuan dan tunjuk ajar kepada Persatuan kami.
Chedo Anak Nyuwen
Chedo Anak NyuwenPersatuan Penduduk Sg Buri, Bakong, Marudi
My journey with SAM started when her community organisers took me to the meet the paddy farmers of Kedah, connecting my growing interest in environmental law with our people who struggle to work the land in the face of pollution, replacement of traditional seeds with commercial hybrids and their accompanying chemical package of fertilisers and weedicides. I then had the honour to work with SAM in the struggle for the rights of the native communities of Sarawak, in defence of their forests from massive logging and destructive mega-projects. In every issue that SAM takes up, she combines rigorous research with the realities and voices of the communities to advocate for policies and laws that care for people and nature. From the courts to the elected legislators to policy makers and implementers and to the United Nations, SAM walks side by side with the communities in Malaysia. How can I not be inspired by the vision and passion of the generations of women and men who coalesce to form SAM?
Chee Yoke Ling
Chee Yoke Lingstudent of SAM, Executive Director of Third World Network, SAM’s sister organisation

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Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Headquarters)
No. 1, Jalan Joki, 11400 Penang,
Malaysia
Tel: +604 827 6930
Fax: +604 827 6932

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Marudi Office)
129A, First Floor,
Jalan Tuanku Taha,
P.O.Box 216,
98058 Marudi, Baram, Sarawak,
Malaysia
Tel & Fax: +6085 758 973

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