Anwar hears Penang fishermen’s reclamation woes
The PKR president says he will bring their complaints to the attention of the government.
PETALING JAYA: PKR president Anwar Ibrahim today met Penang’s fishermen to discuss and hear their problems arising from the three-islands reclamation project, just a day after he raised the issue during a meeting with the prime minister.
“Today, I am coming down to Penang to hear the fishermen’s grievances who are against the giant reclamation project in the state.
“As I’ve said yesterday to Dr Mahathir Mohamad, this issue has a major impact on environmental sustainability and the lives of fishermen. So, there is a need to look for solutions immediately,” he said in his Facebook posting.
He said a few things were achieved following the meeting with the fishermen and he would bring them up to the government’s leadership.
Yesterday, the Port Dickson MP had also passed the message to Mahathir to meet those affected by the reclamation project.
He said besides the reclamation project, he raised a “few problems” involving low and middle-level contractors. However, he did not elaborate.
The Penang government plans to reclaim three islands in the waters off its southern coast to finance its RM46 billion Penang Transport Master Plan, which will see roads and LRT being built.
Fishermen have raised concerns over the loss of fishing grounds where the islands would be reclaimed. Those affected protested outside Parliament on Thursday, calling for the project to be cancelled.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the wellbeing of the fishermen would be taken care of and a special task force had been set up to talk about compensation.
The proposed three reclaimed islands, formally known as Penang South Reclamation, cover nearly 17 sq km, with islands of 9.3, 4.45 and 3.23 sq km to be reclaimed off the coast of Permatang Damar Laut, near Bayan Lepas.
The reclaimed land will belong to the Penang government but will be auctioned off to the highest bidders to finance the RM46 billion Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP).
The PTMP will see a series of highways, light rail transit lines and other modes of transport built over the next 20 to 30 years.
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The PTMP will be carried out by SRS Consortium Sdn Bhd, a joint venture between Gamuda Bhd and Penang real estate development firms Loh Phoy Yen Holdings Sdn Bhd and Ideal Property Development Sdn Bhd.