She is now urging Putrajaya and Penang to cancel the project for three man-made islands and instead focus efforts on containing the pandemic, protecting the environment and ecosystem as well as the source of income of Penang fishermen.
She said that she and party colleagues had initially supported the project but she started to be more apprehensive when the Penang Transport Master Plan was changed to include a mega highway, LRT, monorail, Skycab and involved land reclamation.
She said it was clear that the PSR had become focused on revenue and the speculative sale of property, sidelining the importance of the environment and a balanced ecosystem.
“We must review the PSR with protecting the environment and welfare of citizens as our priority. The losses and risks in this project far exceed the possibility of profit for the state and its people,” she said.
Permanent environment damage
Nurul Izzah also questioned why Penang was going ahead with the project although an environmental impact assessment report had confirmed that the PSR would cause permanent environmental damage.
She said the state government could develop available inlands rather than deciding to reclaim some 4,500 acres of man-made islands.
“Beach reclamations will force fishermen to travel further to get their catch. The cost of fuel will be higher while more time will be spent. Additionally, fishermen face higher physical risks, as well as the risk of damaging their boats and nets.
“Although there will be compensation for affected fishermen, the quantum of the compensation and the mitigation measures are insufficient,” she said.
She urged the water and environment ministry to cancel the early approval given by the environment department and to collaborate with the Penang government to better manage the socio-economic recovery of the people.
Reclamation and land sales
In March, the Penang government said it would allow the SRS Consortium to reclaim one of the three proposed islands. The company will pay RM3.8 billion to reclaim half of Island A as part of a 30:70 joint venture, with the lion’s share to be held by SRS.
When there is demand, SRS will undertake to reclaim the other half of Island A.
The reclamation will be carried out by Gamuda Engineering, which has been given the right to “slow down” or “increase” reclamation as demand for land drops or increases over time. The state government has given an assurance the land will remain in its hands after completion.