Penang three-island reclamation project still subject to appeal process, says CM

GEORGE TOWN, April 27 — The Penang South Islands (PSI) project is still subjected to the appeal process from the public, said the state's Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.

He said the recent approval from the Department of Environment (DoE) was for a fresh Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report after its previous EIA approval was revoked.

"This is a fresh EIA application and it’s approved but it is still subjected to appeal process, this is beyond us, anyone can take subsequent action with regards to the approval,” he said in a press conference at his office today.

He said all technical consideration for the project has gone through the various governmental agencies and committees for the fresh EIA.

"They can impose whatever conditions, so it is time to comply,” he said.

He said if the project was not allowed to start work, there was no way to prove whether they will comply with the conditions set.

"The test is in the implementation and not the approval,” he said.

The first EIA for PSI, also known as Penang South Reclamation, was first approved in 2019 but it was revoked in 2021.

The project delivery partner, SRS Consortium, submitted a fresh EIA for the project and DoE approved it officially on April 11 with 71 conditions.

This led to objections by the environmentalist group Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) and the Penang Fishermen’s Association (PenMutiara).

SAM demanded that the state reveal the 71 conditions of the EIA approval.

When asked about the conditions, Chow read out 15 sections of the 71 conditions briefly.

Among the conditions was compliance with the Environmental Act in terms of dredging and reclamation works, control of air, water and noise pollution, emergency response plan on-site and off-site and the preparation of an environmental management plan (EMP).

"This is why I said we need to prepare the EMP in the EIA format and we need to submit this to the DoE for approval before we start work,” he said.

He said for condition number 70, the state will need to notify the DoE if there are any changes in the project within 30 days of the change.

"The final condition is that the project delivery partner must comply with any additional conditions and requirements set by the DoE as per the Environmental Act,” he said.

He said all details of the PSI project are available on the Penang Infrastructure Corporation Sdn Bhd website.