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Scrap the Langkawi reclamation project!

  • Publication Date | January 21, 2021
  • Document Type | Articles & Stories
  • Programmes | Development & Planning
  • Issues | Coastal Development, Development, Reclamation
  • Tags | Kedah, Langkawi, Penang South Reclamation, PSR, Widad Business Group
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On 31 May 2018, the late Sarawak developer, Ting Peh Khiing famous for the Bakun Dam project announced that he would be launching a RM30 billion development project to be built on reclaimed land off the west side of Langkawi island on 01 June 2018. Called the Langkawi New City project, it would be located on 81 hectares of reclaimed land. The proposed project was envisioned to be a high-end Dubai style development with 30,000 high end condominium units, commercial centres, berthing facilities for ocean liners and yachts, among others. According to one media report who quoted the late Ting, “This project is bound to be the biggest ever development of its kind in the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia”. In the same report, Ting was reported to have also said that the environmental impact assessment had already been conducted. 

However, the very next day, on 01 June 2018, several news articles stated that the then Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad (under the newly elected Pakatan Harapan) would not be officiating the launch and the then Chief Minister of Kedah Mukhriz Mahathir had said that the state government had yet to receive any proposals for the project and neither was there any deposit paid to the state by the late Ting.

Fortunately for all, this project never took off after the grand announcement. 

Fast forward 2.5 years later, we now hear that the Kedah government has signed a RM40 billion worth joint-venture agreement with the Kuala Lumpur based Widad Business Group Sdn Bhd (WBG) to reclaim an area off the island of Langkawi where 90% of the total 1,979 acres would be an artificial island. It would be for high end development including five and six star hotel resorts, a golf course next to the Marina Yacht Club, offices, shopping complexes, hospitals, universities and luxury homes. The project would take 15 to 20 years to complete. 

Similar to what was proposed by the late Ting, this project would also be on the west of Langkawi and near the airport in Padang Mat Sirat; but it seems that it would be a whole lot bigger, almost nine times more if compared to what was originally proposed, and about RM10 billion more too. According to a recent media report quoting Sanusi Md Nor, the Chief Minister of Kedah, WBG has paid up ‘millions’, (actual amount has not been disclosed) in commitment fee to the state to start this project.

We are shocked by the Kedah state government’s announcement to want to embark on such a large scale reclamation project when it is blessed with vast amounts of land. A similar idea for a project like this was already shelved in 2018 by the previous state government right after it was launched by Ting. Why go down the same path again?

This is a massive project that has huge financial implication which the state has to carefully consider, especially during this pandemic time, when the national and world economy is in trouble and there is a downturn in the tourism industry for years to come. Why build a playground for the rich when the scarce financial resources can be better used to meet the basic sustainable development needs of our people?

The priority is not for huge high end development that will only benefit a few and keep their pockets happy. It appears that not much thought has been given about the environmental impacts of such a project in destroying the beautiful and natural environment of Langkawi and against the interest and welfare of ordinary people like the fisherfolk who will be affected in the long term. 

We continue to criticise the state government for proposing prior devastating projects like exploring for rare earth elements, large scale logging and now this, reclamation.  

We do not deny that investments are important for the state but it should be sound investments for socially useful projects, beneficial to all, especially the poor, and are not environmentally destructive. 

Seen in this video, Sanusi Md Nor, Kedah Chief Minister (front row: 4th from right), prior to becoming the Chief Minister, protesting against the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project in Sungai Batu, Penang with the fisherfolk | SAM File 06 February 2016

It was not too long ago that the Kedah Chief Minister stood with the fisherfolk of Penang and protested against the Penang South Reclamation project, involving another mega 4,500 acres of massive reclamation in a very environmentally sensitive area. 

Surely, what is not good for Penang is also not good for Kedah. We hope that he has not forgotten this and appeal to him to review and scrap this unsound venture.

Fisherfolk of Sungai Batu, Penang protesting against the PSR project with Sanusi Md Nor (Front row: 4th from right) in 2016 prior to him becoming the Kedah Chief Minister | SAM


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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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