Anwar supports the RM11bil Penang South Reclamation project

(The Star) – The RM11bil Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project can continue as long as the residents whose livelihoods will be affected are compensated fairly, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar said the fishermen should not be compensated based on the old methods, but he did not elaborate.

“The state should not use old methods to compensate local residents. I disagree with that. There should be a plan to help them develop.

“The amount of profit coming from a project valued at RM11bil runs into hundreds of millions and they should ensure some equitable compensation is given to local residents.

“Many of those affected include traditional Malay villages and they will slowly disappear or be pushed deeper in,” he told reporters in the Parliament lobby on Monday (July 15).

Anwar also said he had discussed the matter with Nibong Tebang MP Datuk Dr Mansor Othman, Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar, Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin, and Balik Pulau MP Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik.

“We feel that the development can continue,” he added.

Last week, a group of fishermen and NGOs marched to Parliament to hold a peaceful gathering protesting against the PSR project.

The land reclamation project off the southern coast of Penang island aims to create three man-made islands covering 1,800ha, with parts of the islands to be put up for sale.