IPOH: A more thorough and neutral study is needed on the Penang South Islands (PSI) reclamation project and its impact on the environment and the people, says Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad (pic).
He said there had been different views from fishermen in Perak towards PSI.
“Some fishermen think it will benefit them, as they feel marine life would head south to Perak waters.
“There are also some who think that the marine life would move away,” he told reporters at a Hari Raya open house at the state secretariat building banquet hall yesterday.
As such, he said there was a need for a thorough study to be conducted by the relevant bodies.
Last month, non-governmental organisation Pertubuhan Badan Pemikir Melayu Pulau Pinang asked the federal and Penang governments about development of the three man-made islands in the PSI project.
Its chairman Datuk Dr Muhamad Farid Saad said there were doubts as to whether the project would benefit the people, especially fishermen from the island and Perak.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow recently announced that the state had obtained the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approval for the PSI reclamation project.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had also said late last month that the government was ready to listen to the concerns or objections raised by fishermen over the reclamation project.
On a separate matter, Saarani said the fly infestation issue in Manjung was not solely caused by poultry farms there.
He said some oil palm estates that used chicken manure as fertilisers were also to be blamed.
“We have given an order to poultry farmers to adopt a closed farming system to prevent pollution or fly infestations,” he said.
