CAP and SAM oppose project

Organisations highlight negative impact arising from Rm75bil mixed development

GEORGE TOWN: Both the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) and Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) have opposed the proposal for the RM75 bil mixed development in Balik Pulau in October last year.

S.M. Mohd Idris, who is the president of the two organisations, said he had conveyed the objections to the state government with preliminary comments based on the proposal paper submitted by the project’s consultant.

“We hope that the investors will not take the same project idea to any other state or country.

“We are very glad that the proposed creation of offshore concrete structures slated for development on the west coast of Penang island has been scrapped,” he said in a statement yesterday.

The preliminary assessment of a scientist consulted by the two organisations had highlighted the negative environmental impact arising from the project, said Mohd Idris.

The anchoring of piles into the bedrock to support the concrete structure would itself cause much destruction to the marine flora and fauna, he said, adding that the project

We hope that the investors will not take the same project idea to any other state or country. —S.M. MOHD IDRIS

would be detrimental to theh coastal l environment, mangrove forests and the livelihood of the fishermen.

State PKR vice-chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain said all stakeholders must be consulted, especially over massive projects.

“I’m happy that the state government has clarified that such a project will not be considered,” said Abdul Halim, who is also the state assembly Speaker.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had earlier admitted to meeting project consultant Dr Nik Zamri Majid once.

However, he said the state government had received many proposals from all groups, emphasising that “this so-called project simply did not exist” as it had not even been evaluated.

The meeting was arranged by Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Mansor Othman, who is state PKR chairman.

On Wednesday, Kuala Sungai Pinang fishermen expressed shock 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.

They were worried that the mega project could cause fish species to dwindle and affect the livelihood of 500 people who depended on fishing in the area.