The fishing community in Bayan Mutiara, Penang, claim that their livelihood is under threat from the reclamation project near Queensbay Mall, which started this year.

Fisherman Mohd Maidin Abd Hamid, 63, said he used to have an abundant daily catch, but the amount has dwindled since the reclamation project began this year.

“Our income has gone down by half compared to the past.

“I used to be able to earn about RM1,500 to RM1,600 a month, now it is even difficult to get RM600,” he said at a press conference held with environmental NGO Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) today.

“Even our lives are endangered due to the reclamation activities, which we feel have not been done properly. For example, the buoy used at the site did not have a beacon, causing many boats to collide with it at night,” he added.

Mohd Maidin said his damaged boat cost him RM2,500.

In a statement issued today, SAM president SM Mohamed Idris said some 4,000 fishermen have been affected by the reclamation projects in Penang.

‘Empty pledges’

Both the Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, and SRS Consortium – the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project's delivery partner – said it would take measures to ensure that the livelihood of the fishing community would be protected.

Idris said this latest complaint by the fishermen in Bayan Mutiara proves that the responsible parties did not pay due attention to protecting the livelihood of the fishing community.

“About 70 percent of their income has deteriorated. The reclamation also destroys fishing nets,” he said.

According to SAM, areas largely affected by the reclamation are Tanjong Tokong, Sungai Gelugor, Jelutong, Batu Uban, Gurney Drive and Queensbay.

SAM field officer Zulkifli Yusof urged the federal government to act, stressing that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had pledged that the PSR project would not be approved as it affects the fate of the fishermen.

“Please act on this, and do not allow other reclamation projects in the state,” said Zulkifli.

The reclamation exercise in Bayan Mutiara is being carried out by a private developer for a construction project, while the PSR, which is part of the Penang Transport Master Plan, is yet to obtain federal approval.

The project involves the creation of three artificial islands covering some 4,500 acres of the land of the southern post of the island.

Echoing Idris, SAM research officer S Mageswari also warned of worse threats to coastal and marine environment if the reclamation project is allowed to proceed.