GEORGE TOWN, May 23 – The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) has called on the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and the Unity Government to cancel the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project. CAP claims that the PSR project will cause irreversible damage to the environment and the fishing community. The PSR project has been a controversial issue in Malaysia, with concerns raised about its impact on food security, climate, and the demography of Penang Island.
The project has also been criticised for its adverse ecological and social impacts, which contradict the MADANI policy framework that promotes sustainable development. CAP welcomed the PM’s recent statement that he had concerns about the PSR project and was prepared to investigate the objections to it. However, the association remained curious as to why the Penang state government was insistent on proceeding with the reclamation project despite its adverse ecological and social impacts.
The state government has claimed that the PSR project is necessary to create jobs and to meet the demand for more land for development. However, CAP argues that the claim is baseless and contradicted by the reality on the ground, with over 3,000 acres of land available for economic growth in Batu Kawan, and over 12,000 hectares of land in Seberang Perai that can be used for development. CAP claims that the PSR project will exacerbate the climate crisis by producing 3.2 million tons of carbon emissions per year, in violation of Malaysia’s commitment under the Paris Agreement.
The project will also destroy an important fishery in Penang that provides income for over 3,000 people and their families and food for consumers. Despite the Department of Environment director-general advising the Penang state government that the PSR project will cause permanent and residual impacts on mudflat ecosystems, fishing grounds, turtle landing areas, and some coral reefs in Pulau Rimau, the environmental impact assessment report for the reclamation project was approved.
CAP argues that the estimated RM16 billion reclamation cost can be better used to improve the living standards of the poor and marginalised, provide better healthcare and education, and improve traffic mobility. CAP is urging the PM and the Unity Government not to support the PSR project and supply funds and guarantees. They believe that politics and cronyism should not be allowed to trump the interests and welfare of the people, social justice, and the environment.
