It is better for NGOs to ‘make noise’ on land reclamation projects approved in the state than to speculate on those that are yet to be approved, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng says.

He said the current Penang government has only approved 60 acres for reclamation - 35 acres in Bayan Mutiara and 25 acres in Bayan Bay.

“The previous BN state government approved almost 50 times more land for reclamation than this administration has approved, so I don’t know why they (NGOs) are making noise about it,” Lim said in Bayan Baru today.

“If NGOs are really concerned about the matter, it is a good thing. But better if they talk about those projects that have been approved. Don't speculate on those yet to get approval,” he added.

If the NGOs were really concerned about the environment, they should pay attention to the logging of forest reserve areas in Kelantan.

To the environmentalists, Lim said: “Don't just focus on Penang. I don't know why we always become the target.”

His administration, he said, has never “grabbed” even one inch of forest reserve in the state.

“Whereas in Kelantan, Salor assemblyperson Husam Musa’s wife has received death threats,” Lim said, referring to the former PAS vice-president who has been issuing statements on excessive logging in the state.

“We condemn such acts and hope the authorities will take serious action against such uncivilised acts,” he added.

He said only projects approved by the state government, including reclamation works, should be considered as finalised.

“One should not comment on any project that is yet to be approved,” Lim said after visiting the Subterranean Penang International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

In his Budget 2016 speech last Friday, Lim pointed out that only two reclamation projects, totalling 60 acres, have been approved by the Pakatan Harapan (previously Pakatan Rakyat) state government.

“Anyone can conduct a study. If they have any information, they can provide it to us. Other than the 60 acres stated in the budget speech, we are yet to approve any other reclamation project,” Lim added.

He was referring to a statement from the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP), which wants the Penang government to scrap the reclamation project off the Permatang Damar Laut coastal road, near Batu Maung.

CAP president SM Mohamed Idris ( photo ) urged Lim to announce the project to the people, especially the 300 fishermen who would be affected by the alleged reclamation works.

Idris said CAP has carried out a check and found that a survey measuring works, markings of the area, and the digging of the seabed, are being carried out in the area.

He said Lim, who chairs the state’s land affairs and development and also the information portfolios, owed the people an answer.

Idris also noted that the Southwest District and Land Office, Penang Island City Council, Town and Country Planning Department, and state executive councillors Chow Kon Yeow and Phee Boon Poh have been contacted on the reclamation project.

However, some were unaware of the project while the others declined to provide any answers, he said.