FISHERMEN PROTEST AGAINST RECLAMATION
Memorandum handed over to state govt
ABOUT 1,000 fishermen in Penang handed over a memorandum to the state government yesterday to protest the proposed Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project.
The memorandum was received by state information officer Zahar Zainul at the State Legislative Assembly building here.
On July 11, the fishermen handed a similar memorandum to Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Salahuddin Ayub in Parliament in Kuala Lumpur.
Penang Fishermen’s Association chairman Nazri Ahmad said they were disappointed with the state government’s “arrogance culture”.
“We were hoping to meet state leaders. Instead, a representative met us.”
He said they had been against the project since 2015, but their protests had fallen on deaf ears.
Earlier, they gathered at the adjacent Padang Kota Lama field with representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGO), taking turns to speak.
They chanted “Tolak Tambak” and “Bantah Tambak” (reject reclamation).
They held banners, which read
“Solidariti Bersama Nelayan” (solidarity with fishermen).
They were joined by fishermen from Perlis and Perak.
Nazri said: “We have heard how the project will have an adverse impact on us. There is no way we can accept the reclamation.
“We urge everyone to stand united with us in our fight against this project.”
He said people would not feel the effects now, but in the long run when fishermen were no longer going out to sea.
“Today (yesterday), 1,000 of us did not go out to the sea. So we don’t know where the supply of fish is going to come from.
“What about when the project begins? The people will no longer get to enjoy fresh seafood. We have seen the impact of reclamation from other projects. The impact from PSR will be greater.”
Consumers Association of Penang president Mohideen Abdul Kader said Malaysians should reject the project.
“There is no need for such large-scale reclamation. Why is there a need to create three islands, about two-thirds the size of Pulau Jerejak?
“If the state needs land, it can go to the mainland. There is land there, which has yet to be fully developed.”
Penang Forum member Salma Nasution Khoo said the reclamation would destroy the food chain.
“There will come a time when we eat mee udang (prawn mee) or cucur udang (prawn fritters) without prawns.
Penaga assemblyman Mohd Yusni Mat Piah said the opposition would support the fishermen and speak up against the PSR at the ongoing state assembly sitting.
The state government is seeking funding for its Light Rail Transit and Pan Island Link I projects, both of which are components of its RM46-billion Penang Transport Master Plan, aimed at addressing the state’s worsening traffic woes.
It is expected to fund the massive project through PSR, which will see the creation of three man-made islands in the southern part of the island.
All three projects have been granted conditional approval by the authorities.