CM defends mega reclamation project

CHIEF MINISTER Chow Kon Yeow has defended the proposed mega land reclamation project off Bayan Lepas saying the new land bank can eventually become strategic areas for the future development of the state.

Addressing the afternoon session of the state assembly sitting yesterday, Chow said the additional land acquired from the reclamation would be strategic in value to Penang.

The South Reclamation Scheme was crafted to initially help the state underwrite the proposed RM46 billion Penang Transport Master Plan, but now with Pakatan Harapan managing the federal government, some quarters have suggested the financial model be changed to outright government funding rather than relying on reclamation.

But Chow argued that some quarters have also suggested that Penang develop the mainland (Seberang Perai), but not all the land on the mainland belonged to the state.

“Most are privately owned and the state needs to acquire it at huge sums to fund development there.”

Chow pointed out that reclamation is undertaken by many countries with large land bank reserves such as Brazil, Qatar and the UAE.

“The reason they do it is because the value for reclaimed land is better as it is located in strategic areas.

“It is not just about an acute shortage of land,” he said

Chow said this to Lee Khai Loon (PH- Machang Bubuk) who was debating the assembly’s opening address by Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas.

Lee had expressed concerns over the environmental impact of the proposed reclamation of three islands which measured up to 1,819ha of land created.