GEORGE TOWN: Some 10,000 residents surrounding the Jelutong landfill here are demanding to know the status of the multi-billion ringgit Babylon City By The Sea project, which has been delayed since 2016.
Some of the residents, through their respective residents' associations, had sought help from MCA to get answers from the Penang government.
MCA, which had gone to check on the residents' concerns, said they found that the landfill site is unsuitable for the project, which encompasses residential and commercial components as well as a public park.
State MCA Public Services and Complaints Bureau vice chief Francis Goh said their probe revealed that there would be serious environmental and technical issues should the project proceed.
He said the project was supposed to be built on the Jelutong landfill site.
"This landfill had been in use for more than 40 years. Tonnes of rubbish were buried deep inside. Any development would mean having to dig into the heaps of rubbish. Just imagine the kinds of gases that would be released.
"As it is, some residents already have to put up with the awful stench, which is believed to originate from the Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) Sdn Bhd sewage treatment plant nearby. If this project kicks off, imagine the odour that will be emitted. The people's lives would be severely affected.
"There are many problems. We feel that this project is only good on paper and may probably be a 'white elephant' project. We want to state authorities to come clean on this matter. We will not hesitate to put up a fight if this takes off (due to the many issues)," he said today.
Goh said they have also sought further help from environmental experts to prove their findings.
Meanwhile, Mutiara Idaman 2 Residents Association secretary Mazlan Pawanteh, 58, said the residents were clueless as to the status of the project.
He said residents were also concerned over the effect the project would have on their daily lives, especially environmental issues.
"Our residential units are less than 500-metres away from the project site.
"We are not against it but we want to know the status. It has been delayed since 2016. Will the project proceed or otherwise?
"Our main concern is the public recreation park promised to the locals. We want that to be delivered first (should the project go on) before the other components," he added.
In February 2020, it was reported that Penang was embarking on a mission to rehabilitate and redevelop the Jelutong landfill, which had been in use for more than 40 years.
Pegged at RM1 billion, the rehabilitation and redevelopment of the 34ha landfill would be undertaken by PLB Engineering Bhd (PLBEB).
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow had said that, upon completion, the company would surrender 25 per cent of the land to the Penang government, which would then decide on the land use.
He had also said that the company would take 15 years to complete its development on the 99-year leasehold land, with details to be announced by the company.
The state government had called for a request for proposal to rehabilitate and redevelop the landfill on March 12, 2015, and PLBEB was appointed in 2017.