Chow: DoE has okayed Penang South Reclamation scheme

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang South Reclamation (PSR) scheme near Teluk Kumbar has been given the thumbs-up by the Environment Department (DoE), says Chow Kon Yeow.

The Penang Chief Minister confirmed that the state government had received an approval letter via fax from the DoE on Thursday (July 4) over its application to implement the PSR.

"We will be waiting for an official copy to be sent to us.

"At the moment we are still studying the content. It is quite a big document.

"I think next week, we will see each other again to talk further about the PSR scheme approval," he said on Friday (July 5) at a press conference during the launch of the Taiwan Expo 2019 held at Setia SPICE convention centre in Bayan Lepas.

Chow said the approval came with specific conditions that ahd to be complied with.

"There are about 72 conditions.

"When we implement the project, we will comply with those conditions and regulations," he said.

When asked if the new conditions would increase costs, Chow said they needed time to study the conditions first.

The Star reported on Thursday (July 4) that the state government had secured approval for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report of the PSR scheme near Teluk Kumbar.

It is learnt that the Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Ministry had green-lighted the project, paving the way for three man-made islands totalling 1,800ha to take shape off the southern coast of the island.

The report incorporates 23 conditions proposed by the relevant government agencies and non-governmental organisations. It is prepared by project delivery partner SRS Consortium.