Protesters told to avoid racial slurs, use public bus to anti-reclamation rally
Penang executive councillor Dr Afif Bahardin has called on protestors planning a rally against the south reclamation project tomorrow to refrain from playing up racial issues.
Afif said he was aware of the protest against the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) and Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) by Malay Muslim NGOs Ummah, which will be held at Permatang Damar Laut, Bayan Lepas tomorrow...
Penang executive councillor Dr Afif Bahardin has called on protestors planning a rally against the south reclamation project tomorrow to refrain from playing up racial issues.
Afif said he was aware of the protest against the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) and Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) by Malay Muslim NGOs Ummah, which will be held at Permatang Damar Laut, Bayan Lepas tomorrow.
Ummah, which consists of about 40 NGOs in Penang, is expecting about 5,000 people to turn up at the rally.
"Although we have differences of opinion, I pray that the protest will be held in a peaceful, calm and organised manner," Afif said in a statement.
"In the spirit of New Malaysia, I believe that we need to give space to all quarters to speak out as long as they do not go over ethical limits," he added.
"It is my biggest hope that the organisers would avoid playing up racial issues.
"Don't ever allow the politics of race (racism) to come alive," cautioned Afif, who is PKR Seberang Jaya assemblyperson.
The reclamation project which spans 1,820ha, involves the creation of three artificial islands on state land, which will be partly (30 percent) sold to cover cost of the proposed PTMP.
Fisherfolks and NGOs such as Penang Forum and Sahabat Alam Malaysia have strongly protested the project, which will be implemented by the state's project delivery partner, SRS Consortium.
Take public transport
Afif assured that, as a member of the Harapan government in Penang, he was committed to ensure that Malay and non-Malay communities in the affected areas will not be marginalised as a result of the mammoth project.
"Progress is for all Penangites, if there were any concerns or doubts, voice out, as we are willing to hear you," he said.
"But please, do not trade away the harmony we have achieved so far."
Afif also urged rally participants to travel to the protest site by public bus, Rapid Penang @rapidpg, "as the focus of the event is on environmental issues".
They could also reduce the carbon footprints by car-pooling and reduce traffic congestion, he added.
"From Komtar, participants may take Rapid Penang 302 and travel direct to Permatang Damar Laut. It will take about one hour, a bit long.
"But God willing, when the planned Light Rail Transit is ready, the travel time will be faster and more comfortable to Batu Maung," he said.
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