The response of the fisherfolk community at Permatang Damar Laut, the southern post of Penang island, to the reclamation projects in the area is positive, said PKR’s Batu Maung assemblyperson Abdul Malik Kassim.

“Besides, reclamation exercises on the island are 'nothing new' to the fisherfolk community as they have experienced such activities for decades,” said the Penang executive councillor at a press conference in Georgetown today.

He cited past reclamation works in Jelutong, when the Tun Lim Chong Eu Expressway was built and at Tanjung Tokong where such activities are ongoing, saying the fisherfolk’s grievances were not left out of discussions.

Malik said he had met with two-thirds (about 120) of the fisherfolk who were affected by the reclamation projects in his constituency, heard their grouses and explained the matter to them.

“The consultation process has begun with the fisherfolk, first by the state government including the assemblypersons and later by the concessionaire, SRS Consortium (project delivery partner of the Penang Transport Master Plan).

“Their response was positive after we explained the project to the community especially when they heard that there will be increased economic activities in their areas,” Malik said.

“We will ensure that their rights are protected in everything they do,” he added, saying this included protecting them from relocation and losing their livelihoods.

He was responding to the reports in the media about a protest held against reclamation projects by 1,500 fishermen from Permatang Damar Laut , Teluk Kumbar and Gertak Sanggul.

The protestors urged the Penang government to review the proposed reclamation projects, saying it would affect their livelihoods as well as marine life in the area.

Concerns to be heard

To this, Malik said that his 'feelers on the ground' have returned with the report that only 200 to 300 of the protestors were fishermen and not 1,500 as the media claimed.

“Yes, they signed the petition and carried placards opposing the reclamation but that is something natural and normal for them to do.

“But once they listened to our explanation and clarification, they will learn that it will be beneficial to them as the Transport Master Plan will not only benefit them but their future generations as well,” he added.

Malik said once SRS conducts a detailed environmental impact assessment, the fisherfolk’s concerns will be heard and considered.

The fisherfolk viewed the project 'positively', he added, because there were economic activities like water taxis in the Transport Master Plan which they could participate in and benefit from.

The Penang Transport Master Plan is a RM27 billion effort by the Penang government to address the island’s massive traffic and transportation woes.

Penang has long suffered as public transport was under the jurisdiction of the BN-led federal government with the two administrations deadlocked on the implementation of certain key projects.

The Plan includes several highways and an undersea tunnel linking the island to Butterworth on the mainland while promising to connect the entire island by light railway transit, trams and water taxis.

If Putrajaya funds the plan, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said reclamation works may not be necessary as such projects were meant to fund the Transport Master Plan proposals.