BALIK PULAU: Fishermen in Kuala Sungai Pinang are still worried over a proposed RM75bil mixed development project which, if implemented, could affect their livelihoods.
Most of them were shocked over the plans for the 2,833ha project on stilts, involving factories for electrical, electronics, oil and gas and tank farming industries, schools, hotels, residential areas, parks and an artificial beach.
Although the state government had said the project would not be considered, locals are apprehensive because of the conflicting statements made by the authorities.
According to news reports, State Health, Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh had said the state was aware of the project.
However, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the project “did not exist”.
Former Kuala Sungai Pinang Area Fisherman Association unit leader Sazali Abdul Rahman, 55, said he was worried the mega project could cause fish species to dwindle and affect the livelihoods of 500 people who depended on fishing in the area.
“While such a mega project may attract foreign investors, what benefit will it bring to local villagers?”
“The authorities and the project consultants should have asked the views of local fishermen,” he said.
Phee said yesterday that he knew about the project proposal only because the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) wrote to him about its concerns late last year.
“I had no access to any official document in my capacity as state exco member, so there is no contradiction with Lim's denial of the project's existence.”
According to a report in an English daily, project consultant Dr Nik Zamri Majid said the project's Hong Kong investors had instructed him to scrap the plan.
He said mass media attention towards the project had had a negative effect on the investors' reputation.
Dr Nik Zamri said he had been told to look at other locations in Thailand and Myanmar instead for the mega project.
Meanwhile, Penang Barisan Nasional secretary Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya urged the state government to preserve the island's “last remaining green lung”.
Dr Hilmi, who is also Balik Pulau Umno chief and Teluk Bahang assemblyman, said he only found out about the proposed project through an online news portal on Tuesday.
“I knew nothing of the massive development plan. I was surprised when I read about it because Balik Pulau cannot sustain such a huge project.
“When Barisan was in power, it was a policy to keep Balik Pulau as a green lung. Hopefully, this will continue,” the former deputy chief minister said.
Pulau Betong assemblyman Muhammad Farid Saad said the project was not viable as it might have adverse effects on the environment. - The Star
No comments:
Post a Comment