GEORGE TOWN: Pertubuhan Badan Pemikir Melayu Pulau Pinang (Pemikir) has questioned the federal and state governments if they have long-term plans to ensure no one race is left out from the development of the three man-made islands in the Penang South Islands (PSI) project.
Its chairman Datuk Dr Muhamad Farid Saad asked if both the federal and state governments would ensure that the three man-made islands be fairly inhabited by the Penang people as well as citizens and non-citizens.
"Looking back at the coastal reclamation project in Tanjang Tokong, now known as Straits Quay or Seri Tanjung Pinang, the fisherfolk suffered the whole duration of the project.
"What more for the PSI project, where reclamation works may extend to more than two decades?
"Just look at who is staying in Straits Quay or Seri Tanjung Pinang now. Is it the B40 group? Which group monopolises the land and the houses there? It has become an elite area," he said.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow recently announced that Penang had finally obtained the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approval for the PSI reclamation project
Chow said it came with 71 conditions to be fulfilled.
He also said that any reclamation works would only begin after the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) approval had been obtained, which was expected in the third quarter of this year.
Environmental groups and fisherfolk expressed dismay that the EIA had been approved.
They claimed that all the concerns they raised over the years had come to nothing and had called the Department of Environment (DoE) to make the grounds of the decision transparent.
Elaborating, Farid said the PSI project would not only affect the fisherfolk of Penang but also those in Perak.
''Marine pollution will also have a direct impact on Perak because sea soil will be taken from there.
''What about the red soil and stones that will be used…from where will all that be taken?" he asked.
Farid said the EIA approval was something expected, even though Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had reservations a few years ago.
"Now that he is at the peak of his power, the project that received public objections has been approved.
''What is the benefit to the people? Is it true that the proceeds from the sale of these islands' land will be used to finance the state's infrastructure projects only or is there another agenda? The state government knows better.
''Maybe the future Chief Minister who will lead the DAP-led government knows the real target better because this project will start in the third quarter of this year,'' he added.
He said, given that Anwar had reservations about the PSI project, why did he not provide funds from the federal government to finance infrastructure projects or suggest other financing methods that are in line with the principles of his Madani government.
Yesterday, Anwar dismissed claims suggesting that he refused to entertain concerns raised on the controversial PSI project, which has elicited mixed reactions among NGOs and fishermen in the area.
The federal government, said Anwar, was ready to listen to the concerns raised by stakeholders over the development of the project.
He also said the Penang government should be given the opportunity to explain all the concerns raised.