Skip to content
Sahabat Alam Malaysia
  • Home
  • About
  • Programmes
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Shop
  • BMBM
  • Donate
  • Archive

Stop Reclaiming Our Seas! SAM launches report on Impacts of Coastal Reclamation in Malaysia

  • Publication Date | February 27, 2019
  • Document Type | Media Statement
  • Programmes | Development & Planning
  • Issues | Coastal Development, Coastal Ecosystem, Fisheries, Reclamation, Urban Development
  • Tags | EIA, Penang South Reclamation, PSR, PTMP, RSNPP2030
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp
Share on email
Share on facebook
Share on linkedin
PDF

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) calls upon the Malaysian government to cancel all proposed coastal reclamation projects in the country. The call is based on findings of SAM research and field surveys which indicate that coastal communities and the marine ecosystem have been adversely affected by coastal reclamation projects. The reclamation projects also infringe on fishers rights to livelihood.

SAM’s new publication titled “Impacts of Coastal Reclamation in Malaysia” details the biological,  physical, socio-economic, socio-cultural and other impacts of reclamation, highlighting several cases in Malaysia.  SAM’s study finds that coastal development and reclamation projects have robbed fishers and communities of use and access to coastal and marine resources. 

Thousands of hectares of fishing grounds and marine habitat have disappeared due to the craze for reclamation.Reclamation projects are abound in Kedah, Penang, Perak, Selangor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Pahang and Kelantan. For example in Penang, the state government plans to reclaim 4,500 acres south of Penang island, neglecting the heavy toll on fisher communities and marine resources.

The mining of marine sand and aggregates used for reclamation and development projects are also increasing and causing significant impacts to seabed flora and fauna. Millions of tonnes of sand have to be mined and rocks quarried to create new land.

Dredging and extraction of aggregates from the benthic (sea bottom) zone destroys organisms, habitats and ecosystems and deeply affects the composition of biodiversity.  Research shows that this leads to a net decline in faunal biomass and abundance or a shift in species composition.

SAM will be submitting this publication to members of the National Physical Planning Council (MPFN) urging the Council to cancel all proposed reclamation projects in the country and in particular the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) Project. The submission is in response to last week’s statement by Penang state exco Jagdeep Singh Deo that the PSR will be presented at the MPFN in April.  

From the outset, the proposed PSR project involving creation of three islands stretching from south of the Penang International Airport and eastwards to the vicinity of Permatang Damar Laut, is not needed at all.  The main reason for the PSR is to create land banks to finance the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) which is another unjustified project.

The Penang State government seems to be bulldozing its way to get approvals.  Last week PLANMalaysia director general Datuk Rokibah Abdul Latif was quoted as saying that the PSR was not tabled earlier to the MPFN as the Penang State Structure Plan (PSP) was still not in place. Responding immediately, Jagdeep said the draft PSP 2030 is in its final stages and nearing gazettement. 

A hearing on public feedback on PSP2030 has yet to be carried out and we fear that this exercise would be merely a sham and objections are not seriously considered for revision of the draft PSP. 

In addition there is the question of financing the PSR. The Finance Minister last week revealed that the federal government’s debt and liabilities still hover around RM1 trillion. It would be imprudent for the Federal government to channel any funds to the State for an unjustified project. Getting soft loans either locally or from external sources will put us further into debt.

Besides wasting funds and natural resources, the PSR will have a tremendous impact on fisheries. Fishing activities are conducted extensively within the proposed PSR area as well as in the surrounding sea. The proposed reclamation project will impact the marine food chain and the fishing industry due to total loss of mudflats. Loss of coastal habitat due to this proposed project is a major environmental blow.

The Environmental Impact Assessment report of the PSR states that the wholesale value of fish landed at the study area was estimated at RM42.09 million, which amounted to 12.4% of the total wholesale value of fish landings in Penang Island in 2015. Adding on to the downstream activities, this multimillion-ringgit fisheries sector on which thousands depend on is being traded off for development. Fish are being wiped out, and the fishermen will soon be too as they lose fishing grounds. Is that the intention of the state government?

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kow Yeow was reported stating that the Penang 2030 vision must be able to stand the test of the welfare of the people. “If this project does not improve the welfare of the people, then maybe we have to rethink it,” he said. We hope that the CM and the State will review and realise that the PSR project will indeed negatively impact a wide sector of the population and our environment.

Hence, SAM urges the responsible authorities to cancel the proposed Penang South Reclamation project and other reclamation projects that are being planned in Malaysia.

Stop Sea Grabbing!

S.   M. MOHAMED IDRIS

President

Latest

Climate Change

Need to heed warnings from mother earth

It is Earth Day once again on April 22.  As we have said before, it is not enough to dedicate one day in a year to

Read More »
April 22, 2022
Pollution & Extractives

SAM supports Penang State Government’s action against non-compliant pig farmers

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) welcomes and supports the Penang State Government’s  firmness and proposed action against pig farm operators who do not comply with the Pig Breeding

Read More »
April 17, 2022
clean, environment, garbage-1223168.jpg
Pollution & Extractives

Sungai Pinang pollution is a long-standing issue

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) is not surprised to learn that a tonne of rubbish is being collected from the log boom in Sungai Pinang daily.  This

Read More »
April 12, 2022
Agriculture

Agroecology paves the way for pollinators

“I want viewers to see that everything is connected, even the little guys like pollinators and flowers.” Louie Schwartzberg The simple truth is the human

Read More »
April 7, 2022

Need to heed warnings from mother earth

  • Publication Date | April 22, 2022
  • Document Type | Letter to the Editor
  • Programmes | Climate Change
  • Issues | Adaptation, Agrocommodities, Agroecology, Conservation, Deforestation, Development, Food Sovereignty, Forest Conversions, Forest Degazetting, Indigenous Peoples, International Treaties, Pollution, Toxics, Waste
Read more

SAM supports Penang State Government’s action against non-compliant pig farmers

  • Publication Date | April 17, 2022
  • Document Type | Media Statement
  • Programmes | Pollution & Extractives
  • Issues | Pollution, Waste
Read more
clean, environment, garbage-1223168.jpg

Sungai Pinang pollution is a long-standing issue

  • Publication Date | April 12, 2022
  • Document Type | Media Statement
  • Programmes | Pollution & Extractives
  • Issues | Pollution, Toxics, Waste
Read more

Agroecology paves the way for pollinators

  • Publication Date | April 7, 2022
  • Document Type | Articles & Stories
  • Programmes | Agriculture
  • Issues | Agroecology, Biodiversity, Seeds
Read more
Climate Change

Need to heed warnings from mother earth

Read More »
April 22, 2022
Pollution & Extractives

SAM supports Penang State Government’s action against non-compliant pig farmers

Read More »
April 17, 2022
clean, environment, garbage-1223168.jpg
Pollution & Extractives

Sungai Pinang pollution is a long-standing issue

Read More »
April 12, 2022
Agriculture

Agroecology paves the way for pollinators

Read More »
April 7, 2022

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

Support our mission

Do your part for the environment with your donations. Each contribution enables our organisation to create more impact towards environmental justice.

Donate here

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

Sitemap

  • Home
  • About
  • Programmes
  • Resources
  • Archive
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Usage of the Website Content

Get the latest news

Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram

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

Sitemap

  • Home
  • About
  • Programmes
  • Resources
  • Archive
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Usage of the Website Content

Get the latest news

Follow us here

Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram
Copyright © 2022 Sahabat Alam Malaysia