Penang doesn’t need reclamation project, says Nurul

(FMT) – Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar today dismissed any need for Penang to reclaim land from the sea, warning that it would only lead to “destruction and difficulties”.

In a Facebook post, she said Malaysia does not need to follow in the footsteps of countries such as Hong Kong or Dubai which have embarked on such projects.

“I am also firm in my view that giving compensation to the fishermen involved or building a new highway will not help reduce congestion on the island,” she said.

“I still feel it is not too late to replace this mega reclamation project with a better initiative.”

This comes days after Nurul, along with PKR president Anwar Ibrahim and other party leaders, were given a briefing on the Penang South Reclamation project.

The project will see about 4,500 acres of land reclaimed to the south of Penang island.

The land will be sold to finance the RM46 billion Penang Transport Master Plan, which will see the construction of highways, Light Rail Transit lines and other modes of public transportation.

Anwar had voiced support for the project while at the same time pledging to continue listening to the concerns of the fishermen whose livelihoods could be affected.

“I am not committed to supporting them or the state government,” he said.

“But after listening to both sides, I see there is room for negotiations, on condition Penang gets the funds from the federal government and they can rescale the three-islands project.”