Forest City project developers to make DEIA report public

JOHOR BARU: Following concerns raised by affected residents and environmentalists over the massive Forest City project, the developers will make public the detailed environmental impact assessment (DEIA) of the 2,000ha man-made island, which is touted to be larger than Pangkor island.

Country Garden Pacific View (CGPV) said the final DEIA report is expected to be ready for submission to the relevant authorities early next month and the public could view it at the Department of Environment (DOE) in Putrajaya.

The China-based developer said it was aware of the concerns raised around the huge project in Gelang Patah, about 25km from here.

CGPV said that it received clearance from the state DOE to start reclamation works for the first phase of about 49.3ha, but ceased operation in June when concerns were raised about the project, which is being developed with state company Kumpulan Prasarana Rakyat Johor.

“We also submitted a preliminary report on our project to the authorities and tabled it to the government for zoning approval, which we received,” CGPV said in a statement here yesterday.

More than 250 villagers attended a public dialogue on the project on Sept 21, providing their feedback and concerns on the Forest City project that would be included in the final DEIA report.

Fishermen living near the project raised concerns that the Forest City would have an impact on their livelihood.