GEORGE TOWN: With Penang adamant to push ahead with the controversial Penang South Islands (PSI) project, PKR's Permatang Pauh member of parliament Nurul Izzah Anwar believes there are better options to be explored.
The latest round of debates on the PSI project, previously referred to as the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project, came after Nurul Izzah called on the federal and state governments to cancel the mega reclamation project.
Asked if she would continue to push for the cancellation of the project, which will see the creation of three man-made islands measuring 4,500 acres in total, she said "I have said my piece".
"While remaining supportive of the Penang government, I continue to humbly believe that there are better options to be explored.
"I have spoken up because I always want the best for all Penangites and our land," she told the New Straits Times.
According to Nurul Izzah, we need development that makes both our people and the environment stronger and more prosperous for years to come.
"We all want to leave a sustainable legacy for the next generation of Penangites," she added.
Last Monday, Nurul Izzah had said that the massive reclamation project should be cancelled because of the immediate pressing needs of the Covid-19 pandemic, and to preserve Penang's valuable fishing grounds, the livelihoods of fishermen and overall food security.
Since then, ministers, other PKR leaders, academicians, non-governmental organisations and the fishing community have jumped on the bandwagon to voice their support for Nurul Izzah's call.
After a week of silence, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow responded to detractors yesterday, stressing that the reclamation project would proceed at all costs.
He had said that there was no need to choose between the PSI project and the environment and fishermen.
He had also said that technology and engineering advancements could allow the state to build the PSI and preserve the environment and the people at the same time.
The PSI project will see the creation of three man-made islands measuring 4,500 acres to fund the state's highly ambitious Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP).
The PTMP, costing RM46 billion, involves a series of highways, light rail transit (LRT), monorails, skytaxi and the Penang undersea tunnel project.
For the record, the state had obtained approvals for the Hydraulics Study, Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) Report, Marine Traffic Risk Assessment (MTRA) Report and Social Impact Assessment (SIA) Report.
The state had recently resubmitted the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for approval.