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I was recently at the screening of a short documentary & talk on the planned artificial islands in the south of Penang. Seeing as many people aren't familiar with the issue, I thought I'd briefly summarise the project, its effects, and why we need to oppose it
#PenangTolakTambak
#PenangTolakTambak
The project's raison d'être is fundraising for the Penang Transportation Master Plan (PTMP), meant to solve the island's traffic issues. By selling the new land to developers, the Penang govt expects to have enough to pay for the masterplan https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2019/06/27/so-what-exactly-is-the-penang-transport-master-plan-and-how-is-it-being-fun/1765894
The PTMP proposes a more effective public transport system including an undersea tunnel, LRT, monorail, trams, water taxies, and new highways. You can see the details on the website here
http://pgmasterplan.penang.gov.my
http://pgmasterplan.penang.gov.my
The highways themselves are controversial. Safety concerns have been raised over the blasting works required to create tunnels for the highways, not to mention the many people who'd have to relocate
Contrary to popular belief, more roads do not reduce traffic congestion, but simply encourage more cars. In addition, the expensive PTMP will likely burden the people with higher living costs https://www.citylab.com/transportation/2018/09/citylab-university-induced-demand/569455/
The Penang South Reclamation project (PSR) is a crucial part of the plan. Without it, there just won't be enough money for the rest of the PTMP. Yet it will affect the livelihood of thousands of fishermen, and cause irreversible damage to the environment https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2019/07/505751/psr-puts-penang-danger
"Land reclamation" itself is a misnomer, which is why I don't often use the term except ironically. Creating an artificial island in what was sea is not "reclaiming" anything, because it never belonged to you in the first place
Building on artificial land is not uncommon today. Such projects are occurring all over the region. Straits Quay itself is on artificial land. There's currently some similarly ugly construction going on around Bayan Lepas. So why is the PSR controversial? https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2011/04/15/eo-aims-to-begin-reclamation-work-for-rm12bil-penang-project/
Construction of the islands would wipe out the nesting grounds of the endangered Olive Ridley turtle, and destroy the coral reefs around Pulau Kendi and Pulau Rimau https://www.worldofbuzz.com/penang-fisherman-finds-rare-loggerhead-turtle-trapped-in-net-too-weak-to-swim/
The islands would also sit right on top of what is now Penang's richest fishery, affecting the state's food security. We'll instead be importing contaminated fish from overseas. @heritagepenang explains it here https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2019/06/07/penang-south-reclamation-affects-fisheries-industry-drastically/
The fishing community of Penang have an intimate knowledge of the local waters and seasons, acquired over the course of generations. Their traditional knowledge and skills are valuable for fishing sustainably and avoiding waste
DAP media says that the fishermen have agreed with the PSR as long as they're recompensed. Rayer previously claimed that the only people opposing it are from Umno and PAS, who influenced the local fisher folk https://www.buletinmutiara.com/official-discussion-on-compensation-can-proceed/
This is not true. Statistics show 90% of the fishing community opposes the project. To avoid the accusations, they refuse to let any politicians from either side join their protests. And they're willing to go to jail for it https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2019/03/468809/penang-reclamation-project-continues-draw-opposition-fisherfolk
For more information on the planned islands and their impact, follow Penang Tolak Tambak on FB, and make sure to sign this petition https://www.change.org/p/prime-minister-of-malaysia-save-penang-reject-the-3-islands-reclamation
