THE Penang State Department of Environment granted official approval for the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) concerning the “Silicon Island” initiative on July 21, said Penang Chief Minister (CM) Chow Kon Yeow.
This development follows the endorsement of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIA) for the Penang South Island (PSI) venture, which the central Department of Environment (DOE) granted with 71 conditions in April.
Chow expressed gratitude for the evaluation and approval of the EMP in a statement today.
“The decision is the result of cooperation and joint efforts to ensure that the development of ‘Silicon Island’ complies with the environmental and safety standards of the local community.
“We also thank all parties that have contributed views in drafting this EMP.
“With the approval of the agencies involved, the preparatory works for the project will begin on Sept 1 (today) and continue until related works are completed,” said Chow.
He further mentioned that in line with the state government’s commitment to providing ex-gratia payments to the fishing community affected by the project, 75% of the ex-gratia payments will be disbursed in stages starting today. The remaining 25% will be paid off early next year.
“Payments will be made in phases, taking into account the scope of the PSI project which has been reduced to an island, compared to the previous initial planning.
“The development of the ‘Silicon Island’ project is designed based on environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles and is expected to become a leading technology centre in the region, opening up new job opportunities by injecting lasting economic benefits to the locality.
“To begin with, a total of 600 sea and land-based job opportunities will be offered over the next 18 months. Priority will be given to fisherfolk and local residents,” said Chow.
Meanwhile, the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) and Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) appealed to both the federal and state governments to reconsider proceeding with the project.
“We deeply regret to learn that the state government will work on the project starting today.
“We wish to know if the state government has obtained planning permission to commence the project under the Town and Country Planning Act 1976. This is a legal requirement that needs to be followed.
“Legalities aside, we are appalled that the Madani government is proceeding with the project despite concerns and objections raised by fisherfolk including Pen Mutiara, the official fisherfolk’s association and the Persatuan Nelayan Kawasan Selatan Pulau Pinang (PNKSPP) and all units of the fisherfolk villages here,” the organisations stated.
The statement was jointly issued by CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader and SAM honorary secretary Mageswari Sangaralingam.
Furthermore, they pointed out that the fisherfolk community has challenged the EIA’s approval but no hearing date has been fixed until now by the Appeal Board set up under the Environmental Quality Act, 1974.
“The scaling down of the project from three islands to one island has not allayed our concerns or those of the fishing community.
“This project is not needed as we have argued many times that land on the mainland is more than sufficient for any expansion of economic activities.” – Sept 1, 2023
Main photo credit: The Star
