GEORGE TOWN: Tempers flared outside the Penang state legislative assembly building here when a group of residents from Bandar Sri Pinang gathered to demand answers on the controversial RM1bil Jelutong landfill rehabilitation project.
The residents, including representatives from the Bandar Sri Pinang Residents Association, urged authorities to investigate the project, alleging that it had been granted at least seven deadline extensions since 2020 despite its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report failing to gain approval from the Environmental Department (DOE).
They had gathered yesterday after submitting a complaint to the Penang Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
The former Jelutong landfill, which operated for decades before closing in 2010, spans about 65ha along Karpal Singh Drive and has long been earmarked for rehabilitation and redevelopment.
The proposed RM1bil project sparked controversy after residents claimed a 28ha coastal reclamation component had been introduced to it despite it allegedly not being part of the original 2016 tender proposal.
Recent news reports stated that the DOE's latest rejection in March of the EIA was due to unresolved technical issues.
State executive councillor Lim Siew Khim, who is also Sungai Pinang assemblyman, said several engagement sessions involving residents, consultants, the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and relevant agencies had been held since last year to address concerns over the project.
“For the record, an engagement and dialogue session was organised on May 4 last year by me as the Sungai Pinang assemblyman together with residents, consultants, MBPP and related parties.
“The session was specifically held to give residents the opportunity to obtain direct explanations regarding the proposed project and allow all questions to be raised openly,” she said, adding that she had not ignored the residents' concerns.
Lim, who met the residents during the gathering yesterday, said feedback on the EIA report and concerns raised by residents would be brought up for further discussion at the upcoming state executive council meeting.
Her response, however, led to several protesters accusing her of having let them down.
“We couldn’t find you. We had to meet you at the state assembly,” they shouted.
Bandar Sri Pinang Residents Association chairman Dr K. Ganesh said they were frustrated over what they described as a lack of transparency involving a project affecting public land and the coastline.
“This is not an abstract contract. It is about whether a promised rehabilitation project will finally make the neighbourhood safer, or whether they will be left with more delays, uncertainty and a reclamation project they were never asked to approve,” he told reporters.
He added that residents were not opposed to rehabilitating the former landfill site, but wanted greater transparency and proper scrutiny to changes in the project.
The group also urged the PAC to disclose the extension-related documents, EIA, Traffic Impact Assessment and Social Impact Assessment reports, among others.
