BALIK PULAU: The Federal Government will not approve the Penang South Reclamation project if it adversely affects the livelihood of the people.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said this was among three conditions from the Federal Government before approving the project.
"The project must fulfill three conditions; namely it should not causes losses or big impact on the people.
"In this case, if the project affects the rice bowl of the 1,500 fishermen in the area, we will not approve the project.
"Secondly, it should be environmentally-friendly and there should be another alternative which can save money of the people.
"Our stand is based on the three conditions so the fishermen here can be rest assured that we will not approve the project if it is against these conditions," he told thousands of Balik Pulau residents, who joined him for a luncheon at Politeknik Balik Pulau here.
The Penang government has proposed to carry out the reclamation project off the southwestern coast of the island as a means to fund its ambitious Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP).
The land reclamation involving 1,821ha will see the creation of three islands.
The RM46 billion PTMP project to reduce traffic congestion, includes Light Rail Transit, Mass Rapid Transit and several highways.
Najib said the federal government’s stand should not be construed as a political move.
"If it was political, we would not bring so many projects to Penang," he said.