BATU KAWAN: It will take several months before any decision is made with regards to the approval of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Penang South Islands (PSI) project.
Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said the latest EIA was submitted in January this year.
He said the EIA had been rejected on numerous occasions and the state was asked to come back with revisions.
"They have come back so it is being evaluated now. The process is ongoing.
"The EIA is being evaluated and will take a few months before any decision is made," he told newsmen at the compound of the Batu Kawan Stadium here this today.
He was met at the launch of the Alam Kita 2023 carnival by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Nik Nazmi was asked on the government's stance with regards to massive projects, which may affect the people.
Elaborating, Nik Nazmi said all reclamation projects, whether the PSI, the one in Melaka or anywhere else, would have to go through a thorough EIA process.
He said he had held numerous discussions with regards to the project in Penang and even Melaka.
"So, it all goes through a process. Like what I said, there is risk to any reclamation project.
"So, the EIA process is very thorough so that we can ensure any effects to the environment is mitigated," he added.
Nik Nazmi was also asked to comment on non-governmental organisations (NGO), which disputed previous EIA reports, as some reclamation projects had affected the people.
"You have to understand that even with the legal process we have now, even if an EIA is approved or not, it will depend on the authority which approve the project, which is the state authority.
"And, the EIA does not bound in that sense.
"Secondly, if it (the EIA) is so loose, we will not see the PSI go through several rounds of revisions.
"So, what I am saying is that the process is quite thorough, but even then it is subjected to the project proponent on whether to proceed with the project or otherwise.
"But as I said in Parliament recently, we are looking at improving the EIA process so that it is much more effective," he said.
PSI involves the development of three artificial islands, with an area of 1,700 hectares in the waters off Permatang Damar Laut, near Bayan Lepas.
However, the project received objections from the fishing community and environmental NGOs in the state because it was alleged that the project would damage the marine ecosystem in the area.