PSR worries Perak fishermen
Penang project will affect our livelihood, says community
IPOH: Fishermen in Perak have voiced their concerns over the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project, claiming it will affect their livelihood, says Abdul Yunus Jamhari.
The Perak Agriculture Committee chairman said the Perak Fishermen Association, especially fishermen in the northern region of the state, was strongly against the project and made its opinions known to the state government.
He said the fishermen, including those from Tanjung Piandang and Bagan Tiang, Kerian district, were mainly concerned about the sand mining activities that could affect their fishing areas.
“Sand mining activities will affect the quality of the water, marine resources and the eco-system.
“All these would indirectly reduce the fishermen’s catch,” he said in a statement yesterday.
“The fishermen’s safety could also be jeopardised as ships carrying rocks and sand would ply the same area.
“They are also worried their equipment would be damaged.
“And with the reclamation activities, fishermen could be forced to venture further out to sea, which could incur a high operation cost as the fishing area in the northern part of Perak is quite small,” he added.
The PSR project was announced by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow earlier this month.
The project is reportedly expected to generate some RM70bil, of which RM46bil would be used to fund the Penang Transport Master Plan.
Penang Forum, a loose coalition of NGOs, has also started a petition and has gotten over 12,000 signatures in the petition against the project.
Abdul Yunus said the state would set up a committee to conduct a study to look into the effects of the PSR project.
He said the state would hold discussions with all relevant government agencies and departments, experts from universities and NGOs to get their feedback.
“The state Fisheries Department opined that they are not against development but the livelihood and welfare of the fishermen in the state also needed to be looked after,” he added.