Ten out of 11 fisherfolk who spoke at the dialogue on the Penang Transport Master Plan TMP) today in Bayan Lepas objected to it while the only supporter was booed by the crowd.

Undaunted, Hadis Sidek from Permatang Damar Laut in Batu Maung went on to share his views that he found the TMP doable as he had attended earlier briefings with the state government and the project delivery partner, SRS Consortium.

Seberang Perai Fishermen Association chief Mahadi Ramli opposed the plan as it entails reclamation of an area which is a rich breeding ground for fish and prawns.

“The area is a haven for fishermen who come from as far as the north and the mainland as the waters here are calm and it is easy to cast our nets, I hope the state government will reconsider the plan and take heed of our concerns,” Mahadi said.

Bagan Ajam fisherman Mazlan Ismail drew laughter from the crowd when he proposed that the cost of the RM27 billion TMP be increased to RM28 billion.

“Use the RM1 billion to pay us as compensation. We have always been given meagre sums,” he said, as the audience loudly cheered him on.

The TMP , a massive plan to address the island’s traffic woes, is expected to affect the lives of 900 fishermen in 10 villages, due to sea reclamation exercises along the coastal road in the southern post.

Held at the Tabung Haji Complex in Bayan Lepas, the two-hour event was attended by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, state executive councillors Chow Kon Yeow , Lim Hock Seng, Abdul Malik Kassim, Dr Afif Bahardin,and SRS Consortium project director Szeto Wai Loong.

Mass rail transit systems, highways, public buses and water taxis are all part of the massive plan to connect the island and mainland and address Penang’s traffic woes.

Generally, the fishermen were frustrated with the many “empty promises” made by the government of the day - even during BN’s time during the construction of the two Penang bridges - to better their lives.

Some felt their livelihood will not improve with better connectivity even though the TMP promises they will have the opportunity to increase their income via proposed water taxi businesses.

A spokesperson for the fishermen association Nazir Ahmad, challenged this, saying the business was not “economically viable” as tickets would be more expensive due to rising fuel costs, compared to competing public transport on land.

“Which do you think consumers would prefer?” he asked.

The promise of increased investment and industrialisation also failed to impress the fisherfolk as most felt they will be unable to cope as it would be very different from what they were used to.

Guan Eng said no other state has indulged in a series of consultations and dialogues with all the project’s stakeholders as his administration has done.

He assured that the TMP remains a proposal and will not be approved - either by the state or federal governments - until all stakeholders are consulted.

“We will make the decision collectively, and will take into account everyone’s grouses,” he asserted.

Afif said the fisherfolk community in Penang should attempt to modernise their fishing methods to reap more profits instead of relying on traditional methods.

“At the moment, our local fishermen cannot meet the state's demand and fishes come from sources outside the state.

“Lets have a win-win situation between the fishermen and state. Rest assured, the state takes everybody’s views into account as we believe in consultation and dialogue,” he added.