200 fishermen to march to Parliament to protest reclamation
Some 200 fishermen are expected to protest against the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project, which recently obtained conditional approval for its environmental impact assessment (EIA) report.
Pertubuhan Warisan Tanah dan Teroka Bandar chairperson Zikrullah Ismail said the fishermen joining the rally would mostly be from Penang and Perak – where massive sand mining will take place to cater for the PSR, which involves the creation of three artificial islands...
Some 200 fishermen are expected to protest against the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project, which recently obtained conditional approval for its environmental impact assessment (EIA) report.
Pertubuhan Warisan Tanah dan Teroka Bandar chairperson Zikrullah Ismail said the fishermen joining the rally would mostly be from Penang and Perak – where massive sand mining will take place to cater for the PSR, which involves the creation of three artificial islands.
"About five buses will travel to the capital tomorrow. We will first meet at Tugu Negara, then march to Parliament.
"Overall, about 6,000 fisherfolk will be affected by the PSR. That is why we are taking the issue to the Dewan Rakyat," Zikrullah told Malaysiakini.
"We want to nationalise the issue so that more people will become aware of how serious it is, not only to the lives of the fishing community, but to the environment as well.
"We want to get the attention of the federal ministers when we protest at the Parliament building. We will submit our petition and memorandum to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and at least 10 other ministries about 10am, so that they will consider cancelling the PSR project."
Zikrullah also urged the Penang government to reveal the 72 conditions of the EIA approval, which developer SRS Consortium has to comply with before the project obtains full federal approval.
"We are worried that there will be a lack of monitoring of the project, and whether the state or developer can properly fulfil the 72 conditions.
"We all know that non-compliance only brings disasters, such as landslides," he added.
The PSR project will cover a land mass of 1,821ha, with its development slated to fund the state's RM46 billion Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP).
On Sunday, during a dialogue with Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Salahuddin Ayub in Bayan Lepas, the Penang Fishermen’s Association strongly objected to the PSR, saying: "We know what will happen to us when the project begins."
Association chairperson Nazri Ahmad (photo) lamented, "Teluk Kumbar is rich with marine resources. There are many fishing boats which are at sea there. What will happen to us when the PSR is implemented?"
Former Universiti Sains Malaysia Centre for Marine and Ocean Studies director Zubir Din, however, refuted several misconceptions surrounding the PSR, saying they were not based on facts.
"When we did our survey and interviews, we noticed there were not many fishing boats around the area where the PSR would be built," he said.
"So how can they claim that thousands of fisherfolk would be affected by the project?"
Zubir also dispelled the misconception that the area is rich in marine resources, saying "they are only normal species, which can be found in other areas in Penang and Malaysia."
He claimed that mitigation works involving artificial reefs would increase the number of fish in the sea, resulting in long-lasting and sustainable marine biodiversity.
"The project will bring positive impact to the state's socio-economy, increased job opportunities and development in surrounding areas."
However, local NGOs that object to the PSR project disagreed with Zubir's view.
Sahabat Alam Malaysia president Meenakshi Raman said: "Even the PSR's EIA talks of the adverse impact of the project on the fishing community.
"Please read the EIA, Zubir. Do not mislead us, as this is a serious issue for many, many fisherfolk."
Penang Forum's Lim Mah Hui urged other marine scientists, such as Aileen Tan, to share their views on the PSR.
"I have no technical expertise, but it is hogwash to claim that very few fisherfolk object to the project," said Lim, who is a former local councillor.
