Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow today gave his assurances to fisherfolk in the state that they can continue to earn a livelihood even after the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project commences.

Chow promised that their welfare will be looked after when reclamation works start, and that the only setback they are likely to face is travelling a bit farther out to sea to fish.

"The fisherfolk and their families will also be given job opportunities and better living conditions," he told reporters in Penang today.

Chow added that reclamation for the project will be done at sea, meaning that no houses belonging to any fisherfolk will be affected.

"Actually, not even one house will be impacted by the project," he said.

"It is not a commercial development project where fishing villages need to be demolished to build new ones." 

Chow's remarks come after 200 fisherfolk marched to Parliament yesterday, urging the government not to "pour sand into their rice bowls" with the PSR.

During a closed-door meeting with the Penang government on May 31, Chow said representatives of the fisherfolk presented a list of demands – including ex-gratia payments – to address the impact of PSR on their livelihood and fishing activities.

Also present at the meeting was Penang exco for agriculture, agro-based industries, rural development and health Dr Afif Bahardin, as well as the chief minister's political secretary Teh Lai Hing.

Ex-gratia payments

In a press conference in Komtar today, Chow highlighted the fisherfolk's demands, and said each would be considered by the taskforce established to look into the matter.

"In their proposal, the fisherfolk association asked for ex-gratia payments to be given to those in Teluk Tempoyak, Seri Jerejak, Batu Maung and Pulau Betong," Chow said, referring to the areas affected by the project.

"The summary of the ex-gratia payments include: boat owners to be given fishermen transformation boats paid for by the state, and low-cost housing for direct purchase directly or bought via a rent-purchase scheme.

"For crew members, the request forwarded to us include low-cost housing, also purchase or rent-to-buy," he added.

The chief minister said the fisherfolk also requested for a temporary jetty with full safety compliance be built in the affected areas during the construction of the PSR.

The fisherfolk asked for the jetties be designed after they have given their feedback.

"Relevant agencies such as Fisheries Development of Malaysia (LKIM) will be consulted on this matter.

"The eligibility for the ex-gratia payment will also be looked into in collaboration with LKIM," he said.

Chow pointed out that the fisherfolk taskforce, headed by Afif, was already in place a few years ago.

He added that Afif has received instructions from the state executive council to start the negotiation process with the fisherfolk representatives.

Chow reaffirmed that the state will pursue every approval needed before the PSR project begins.

"They (fisherfolk) want to transform their work, which is why they needed such boats, and they also took the opportunity to request priority for low-cost housing.

"We will scrutinise the demands, consult relevant agencies, and refer to previous ex-gratia schemes as a reference.

"All the demands will be given due consideration by the taskforce headed by Afif. He will be advised by the state exco from time to time and will report back to us for decisions," he said.

Chow emphasised that his administration respected those who protested against the project.

He said the state government recognises that once the project is approved, the next thing to do is to look into the fisherfolk's demands and negotiate the ex-gratia payments.

Fisherfolk taskforce

Meanwhile, Afif said the taskforce began its work since the project was launched, and that it was previously chaired by former state exco Abdul Malik Kassim.

He said several initiatives were made, including one-stop centres at two locations for the public, especially fisherfolk, who want information regarding the project.

"This is where we receive feedback and suggestions and views about the project. After May 9, I replaced Malik, as he was no longer the Batu Maung assemblyperson and state exco.

"We previously obtained feedback from various groups, but plan to start discussions when the project or its environmental impact assessment (EIA) is approved," he said.

Members of the taskforce include two MPs, Tourism and Culture deputy minister Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik, and Agriculture deputy minister Sim Tze Tzin (MP-Bayan Baru).

Other taskforce members include Penang exco Abdul Halim Saad (Adun-Batu Maung) and Azrul Mahathir Abd Aziz (Adun-Bayan Lepas), Transport consultant Lim Hock Seng and representatives from LKIM and SRS Consortium, PSR's project delivery partner.

"We have met Penang Fishermen Association chairperson Nazri Ahmad and will call for a meeting in September.

"We need time to study all the options including ex-gratia payment to make the proper offer," said Afif, who is also the state assemblyperson for Seberang Jaya.

On July 4, the project's EIA received conditional approval (72 conditions).

NGOs have requested the state reveal the conditions and how they plan to comply with them.

Covering 4,500 acres of state land, the PSR, which involves the creation of three artificial islands, would be developed to fund the RM46 billion Penang Transport Master Plan. 

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