GEORGE TOWN: The controversial RM1bil Jelutong landfill rehabilitation project has been granted another extension, this time until Jan 31, 2027, to resolve outstanding planning and technical issues.
State local government committee chairman Jason H’ng Mooi Lye said the extension would allow developer PLB Engineering Bhd (PLBE) to meet technical and legal requirements before its environmental impact assessment (EIA) report could be considered for approval.
“The extension was necessary following the recent adoption of a new guideline on temporary planning permission applications in Penang.
“The state government decided to grant an extension until Jan 31, 2027, to allow the land-use alignment issues to be resolved,” he said in his winding-up speech at the Penang Legislative Assembly in Lebuh Light on Wednesday (Nov 4).
The project has come under renewed scrutiny following calls by the Protect Karpal Singh Drive Action Committee (ProtectKarpal), under Persatuan Penduduk Bandar Sri Pinang Pulau Pinang, for the state government to halt the plan.
The proposed project, which has reportedly seen five EIA submissions rejected and several deadline extensions, involves rehabilitating the former Jelutong landfill and reclaiming adjacent coastal land off Karpal Singh Drive.
The Penang government had previously given PLBE until Oct 18 to fulfil the project's outstanding requirements.
H’ng said the Penang Environment Department, in a letter dated Sept 28, had highlighted 22 land-use alignment issues that needed to be resolved before the EIA report could be considered for approval.
He said PLBE submitted an application for a material change to its planning permission to the state Town and Country Planning Department (PLANMalaysia) on Nov 2 to allow the land to be used temporarily for the placement and operation of recycling machinery.
“The application is still being considered by the local planning authority.
“The project has not been cancelled as it is still undergoing the required technical and legal checks.
“It cannot be scrapped as the landfill must be rehabilitated and cleaned up to prevent environmental risks from leachate and methane gas if it is left untreated,” he said.
H’ng also said the latest extension should not be seen as special treatment for the developer.
“All extension requests must be backed by valid reasons and technical and legal assessments.
“The state will make its decisions based on public interest, technical and legal requirements and financial implications, without giving special treatment to any contractor,” he said.
Last Thursday, Penang MCA chairman Datuk Tan Teik Cheng called on the state government to clarify its position on the Jelutong landfill project amid the lack of EIA approval.
Tan said the project was not merely a matter of commercial development but also involved residents’ quality of life, environmental safety and long-term well-being.
“The residents' concerns must be given proper consideration, and those affected must be meaningfully involved in any rehabilitation plan,” he said.
The 34ha landfill, which operated for more than four decades before closing, has long been regarded as one of Penang’s most challenging environmental legacy sites.
The project was awarded to PLBE under a joint development agreement signed in 2020 involving the Penang Development Corporation, the state government and the company.
