GEORGE TOWN: The Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIA) for the sea reclamation project in the southern waters of Pulau Pinang, now known as Penang South Islands (PSI), is expected to be finalised next month.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said that the EIA was now in the final stage and would be submitted to the Department of Environment (DoE) for approval.
"We are waiting for the technical meeting next month to finalise the report," he said when met after the presentation of the state government's financial aid amounting to RM2.3 million to Tamil and Punjabi schools here today.
Also present was Deputy Chief Minister II P.Ramasamy.
The PSI project covers an area of almost 17 sq km involving the development of three artificial islands with an area of 1,700ha off Permatang Damar Laut near Bayan Lepas.
The project has received objections from the fishing community and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the state, claiming that its implementation will damage the marine ecosystem in the waters concerned.
On Sept 8, 2021, the DoE Appeals Board set aside the EIA approval for the project. — Bernama