GEORGE TOWN, Dec 15 ― Penang executive councillor Datuk Abdul Malik Abul Kassim today gave his assurance that the interests of local fishermen affected by a land reclamation project on the south of the island will not be harmed.

He also told them that they will be consulted when the project delivery partner, SRS Consortium, starts its detailed environmental impact and social impact assessments for the project that is still in the preliminary stage.

“Two thirds of the affected fishermen are from my constituency and I've met with about 120 of the fishermen on December 9 to explain the project to them,” he told a press conference at Komtar today, adding that most were “very positive” after he explained matters to them.

He also said that land reclamation was not a novel endeavour in Penang, citing past work in Tanjung Tokong, Jelutong, Bayan Lepas and Gelugor, adding that fishermen’s interests were also protected then.

Two days ago, a total 1,500 fishermen held a peaceful protest against the proposed land reclamation project in the southern part of the island, off the coast of Permatang Damar Laut.

They claimed they were not consulted or informed of the proposed project and that the project will cost them their livelihood as it would destroy the marine ecosystem of the area.

SRS had revealed that the site has been earmarked for reclamation to create two man-made islands of about 2,000 acres and 1,300 acres respectively with an additional site identified for another 800 acre island next to the two larger islands.

The land reclamation was to fund the massive RM27 billion Penang Transport Master Plan.

Abdul Malik pointed out that the land reclamation will bring about economic development to the area on top of funding the transport master plan which could include water taxies to ferry people from the north of the island to the south by way of the sea.

“We have been engaging with the local fishermen over this and we will continue to engage with them on this,” he said.