IPOH, May 10 — Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad today said that further studies are needed to determine the effect of the Penang South Islands (PSI) project on the fishermen communities in both Penang and Perak.

While noting the project has gotten the environment impact assessment (EIA) report, Saarani said that relevant authorities should also assess its impact on the livelihood of fishermen.

"Even though the project has gotten the environmental impact assessment approval, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar said that the project could still be reviewed on whether it will bring more goodness or disaster to the fishermen.

"I have read about the matter in the newspapers. Some fishermen actually support the project as they said upon completion it will bring more fish, while some fishermen said the project will force the fish to migrate.

"So for me, a proper study needs to be done on this by relevant bodies in a neutral manner,” he told reporters after attending the Perak Darul Ridzuan Building’s Hari Raya Open House here.

Saarani also advised that the matter should not be turned into a political issue.

"We don’t want some group trying to be a hero or politicise this issue as the government already has plans to review the project,” he added.

On April 29, Pertubuhan Badan Pemikir Melayu Pulau Pinang chairman Datuk Muhamad Farid Saad said that the PSI project that could be prolonged for 20 years will affect the livelihood of fishermen from Penang and Perak, Utusan Malaysia reported.

Muhamad Faris that the sea pollution from the project will have a direct impact on Perak as the sea soil will be taken from that state.

The PSI reclamation project involves the construction of three man-made islands, measuring 1820ha in total.

The mega project off the southern coast of Penang island involves the reclamation and development of three islands covering 1,820ha comprising Island A (930ha), Island B (566ha) and Island C (324ha).

PSI is designed to fund the Penang Transport Master Plan, a multibillion-ringgit project encompassing extensive public transport infrastructure and road systems, which includes the Pan Island Link and Bayan Lepas Light Rail Transit (LRT).

However, on Sunday, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said government will explore the possibility of scaling down or postponing part of the PSI project after the Federal Government agreed to fully finance the state’s LRT project.