GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government will work with the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) to improve the livelihood of affected fishermen should reclamation be carried out off the southern coast of Penang island.
Penang Local Government Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said better facilities would be provided for the fishermen and the state would ensure the group’s fishing grounds were protected.
“Penang has seen many areas being reclaimed and LKIM has been cooperating with the state in relocating fisherman affected.
“We assure LKIM and the fishermen that all efforts will be taken by the SRS Consortium to alleviate the impact of the land reclamation,” Chow said in a press statement yesterday.
SRS Consortium Sdn Bhd is the Project Delivery Partner for the RM27bil Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP).
It had proposed to create two man-made islands of 930ha and 445ha off the south coast near Permatang Damar Laut to fund the PTMP which includes a light rail transit line, monorail, tramline and new roads.
About 1,000 fishermen had reportedly protested against the reclamation project on Dec 13 and LKIM chairman Datuk Irmohizam Ibrahim subsequently met about 30 fishermen representing the Southern Penang Fishermen Association recently.
It was reported that there were 1,700 registered fishermen operating along the coast from Balik Pulau to Teluk Kumbar.
Chow also said yesterday that the state government had never treated the PTMP as a political gimmick but regarded it as its commitment to the people of Penang to improve public transport and road networks to bring about sustainable development.
