The state government has insisted that the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report includes the impact of the move on the fishing community.

State executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow said the PSR EIA report had "extensively discussed" the well-being of fishermen, among other issues.

"The PSR EIA report was presented to the public for consultation and we received numerous feedback," Chow said in a statement.

"The feedback included those from Penang fishermen, during the PSR public dialogue held on Dec 17, 2016.

"It was also taken from the one on the EIA Report Public Display held from May 24 to June 23, 2017," Chow explained.

"This feedback has been compiled and responded to in the final EIA report submitted to the Department of Environment," Chow added.

Chow was responding to Penang South Fishermen Association chairperson Arshad Omar, who was reported last week by the New Straits Times as saying that the PSR EIA report that was presented to the fishermen did not mention the potential impact of reclamation on the marine ecosystem, fisheries and the fishing community.

The proposed reclamation project, which includes the creation of two artificial islands, is part of the state's Transport Master Plan designed to ease traffic congestion in Penang.

In August last year, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had said the federal government would not approve the proposed reclamation project if it affects the livelihood of fisherfolk. 

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng described the premier’s remark as "shocking".

Chow said the scope of the EIA study is governed by Terms of Reference (ToR) approved by the Department of Environment (DOE).

He said it is not possible for the federal authority, meaning DOE, to omit this important matter, which is of major significance to the well-being of the environment and the people.

"In fact, not only was the impact on the marine ecosystem, fishery and fishing community discussed in detail in the EIA report, the appointed consultant had also proposed comprehensive and effective measures to mitigate such impacts," said the state DAP chief.

The state takes seriously the project’s potential impact on the livelihood of the fishing community, Chow added.

Two additional reports submitted

Chow stressed that to support the EIA report, the state government had submitted a further two extensive studies which focused specifically on the socio-economic well-being of the fishermen and improvement of fisheries in the project area.

The reports are the Fishery Impact Assessment (FIA) report and the Social Impact Assessment (SIA). Each report falls under the purview of the Department of Fisheries (DoF) and the Town and Country Planning Department (PLAN Malaysia) respectively.  

Chow said these agencies had conveyed their feedback and comments on the reports.

"These reports are currently being revised to incorporate the agencies’ comments," the Padang Kota assemblyperson noted.

"These reports shed light on all concerns gathered from the fishermen community, and potential effects to the fishery sector and proposed mitigation measures are described in detail," Chow said.

"Particular focus was placed on how to improve the livelihood of the fishermen community moving forward and uplift the fishermen community above the lower-income group bracket.” 

Chow said that given that these reports would be resubmitted to competent agencies like DOE, DoF and PLAN Malaysia, the state would leave it to professional and qualified consultants to deliberate with federal authorities on the reports.

Chow said the state government is fully committed to complying with all meaures proposed in the EIA, SIA and FIA reports.

He added that the SIA report has recommended many measures to ensure that locals, especially the fishing community, benefit significantly from the project.

"It is the state government’s wish to develop the state-owned PSR project as an inclusive project that bring benefits to all Penangites.

"The state government urges the public and all stakeholders to take a holistic, long-term view towards the overall economic and social needs of Penang, and how the PSR project will realise the vision to transform and future-proof Penang against current and future challenges that lie ahead," Chow said.

"It is our hope and aspiration that the project brings much-needed development to southern Penang island and ensure the eventual benefits are shared by locals in the south coast of the island, especially the fishermen community," he added.

Chow said the state is cognisant of the struggles of the lower-income community on the south coast of Penang Island, and hopes that the fishing community will use the PSR as an opportunity to improve their livelihoods.

"If the Penang South Fishermen Association or any party has further queries or concerns on the PSR project, the state government is ready to listen and we will develop solutions together for the benefit of all."