‘State govt not sensitive enough’

GEORGE TOWN: The proposed Penang South Reclamation project, which is set to affect some 1,500 fishermen, shows that the DAP-led Penang government’s policy fails to take into consideration the people’s interest.

Balik Pulau Umno division chief Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya said the state government should have placed other factors as its priority. He, however, did not elaborate what the factors were.

“The Penang government is not sensitive to the people’s needs and not capable of good planning. If the people’s interest takes centre stage, they (the Penang government) will not even consider the reclamation project.

“This is very different from Barisan Nasional’s experience when it governed Penang. We put the interest and future of all as our main goal.”

Najib, on Saturday, said the Federal Government would not approve the project if it was not environmentally friendly and if it had negative impact on people.

The state government proposed the reclamation project, located off the southwestern coast of Penang island, as a means to fund its Penang Transport Master Plan.

The project’s proposal has been met with objections from several quarters, particularly environmentalists and the fishing community.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said any decision on the project should be dealt with on technical grounds and not be influenced by politics.

“The statement (by Najib) is not based on environmental specialists’ views.

“We are shocked by the prime minister’s announcement, which gave the impression that the project would not be approved,” he said here yesterday.