'One island is enough!' - several hundred rally against Penang reclamation project
Penang Speakers Square at the Esplanade was a colourful sight today as several hundreds gathered to show solidarity with fisherfolks affected by the proposed reclamation in the southern part of the island.
Led by filmaker Andrew Han, shouts of "Long live the fishermen", "Reject fake Islands" and "Reject reclamation" were heard during the rally, which was attended by activists, NGOs like C4 (Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism), fisherfolks from Penang, Kedah, Perlis and Perak, university students, and observers...
Penang Speakers Square at the Esplanade was a colourful sight today as several hundreds gathered to show solidarity with fisherfolks affected by the proposed reclamation in the southern part of the island.
Led by filmaker Andrew Han, shouts of "Long live the fishermen", "Reject fake Islands" and "Reject reclamation" were heard during the rally, which was attended by activists, NGOs like C4 (Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism), fisherfolks from Penang, Kedah, Perlis and Perak, university students, and observers.
During her speech, Penang Forum spokesperson Khoo Salma said, "We have to fight the reclamation till the end."
"The reclamation involves development on the island, not in Seberang Perai (mainland). You are like a stepchild (dianaktirikan)!" She cried.
"Soon your cucur udang and char koay teow will not have prawns as the reclamation will affect the seafood supply," she added.
"This project will only benefit the rich businesspersons, developers and their political friends," she warned.
"They will become richer while the fishermen and fishes will be extinct!"
Consumers Association Penang president Mohideen Abdul Kader said fisherfolks are a very important community, but they will be "destroyed" by the reclamation project.
"We cannot let that happen. Let's fight this to save our fisherfolks," Mohideen said.
He said the seas are currently contaminated by chemicals which can lead to cancer.
"Even those sitting at the state assembly nearby will be affected by cancer," he claimed.
The rally is planned from 10 to 2pm, and a memorandum on the fisherfolks plight will be submitted to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow at the nearby Dewan Sri Penang.
Today there is a one day boycott of the seas by the fisherfolks to raise awareness of their plight, in the wake of a 1,820ha reclamation project, which involves three artificial islands in the south of the island.
The reclamation project will create land that will be developed and sold to cover the cost of the state's ambitious Penang Transport Master Plan.
In July, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had received a memorandum from the fisherfolks in Parliament, while Penang Governor Abdul Rahman Abbas received it at his residence in Penang.
Housing and Local Government minister Zuraida Kamaruddin was also given the memorandum at the 7th Asia Pacific Urban Forum in Penang.
C4 Penang coordinator Stanley Sudhagaran (photo) challenged DAP to disclose in good faith if they have received any donations for the party from any of the contractors, subcontractors, their directors and shareholders of the PTMP project.
"This is so that the public is given a chance to evaluate and judge if there is any vested interest by the government in approving the project. We need to know," Stanley said during his speech.
"There is a lack of transparency in the whole process of the PTMP project, and I call for an independent review of the entire project," he added.
At about 11am, the protestors led by Persatuan Nelayan Pulau Pinang chairperson Nazri Ahmad marched to Dewan Sri Pinang to hand in a 14-page memorandum to Chow.
Among others, Nazri said the reclamation would cause many fisherfolks who fish around the project area to be jobless.
"The Environment Impact Assessment suggested alternative work like being a security guard or Grab driver, but it is not logical.
"The cost of running a taxi is high, but demand is low. Although the focus is on fish farming and deep-sea fishing, fisherfolks who are involved in these industries only do so as labourers," he added.
Nazri said the project would also create conflict between the fisherfolks and the project workers, who are mostly foreign workers.
He added the reclamation would take 15 years and building of the islands would take about 30 years to complete.
"In the meantime, fisherfolks will suffer. We fear misunderstanding, fighting and riots will happen," Nazri stressed.
As the group was not allowed to enter the premises, Chow's information officer Zahar Zainul received the memorandum on his behalf.
Asked why the group's representative was not allowed to meet with Chow, Zahar said they were only following security orders.
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