BALIK PULAU: A committee opposing the proposed construction of a hostel for foreign workers in Teluk Kumbar has reiterated its call to the Penang state government to scrap the project and called for a 'ceasefire' by local residents for the time being.
Action Committee Against Foreign Workers' Hostel Construction in Teluk Kumbar chairman, Professor Dr Muhammad Idiris Saleh, said they conveyed their stand to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow yesterday (January 9) and he agreed to study the matter.
"At yesterday's meeting, Chow said they will review this matter because the approval for the project is conditional and even the Social Impact Assessment (report) is also conditional.
"The Chief Minister promised to discuss the matter with the relevant parties, and we told him 'not to take too long'. The residents are against the project and will oppose the construction of any hostel for foreign workers in the Teluk Kumbar area," he told a press conference here today (January 10).
Muhammad Idiris said the committee has urged the residents to adopt a 'ceasefire' pending a review of the project by the state government.
He said if the state government decides to proceed with the project, the residents will continue their protests and may take legal action to put a stop to it.
According to Muhammad Idiris, about 32,000 residents and local political leaders are unanimously opposed to the project as they fear it could create problems for the local community.
He said the proposed hostel on a 0.83-hectare site near Bandar Baru Perda can accommodate more than 7,000 workers and has been given planning approval.
Last December, more than 1,000 residents in Teluk Kumbar staged a peaceful demonstration to protest the project.
"Almost all local residents in Teluk Kumbar are against the project as they are worried about potential traffic congestion, cultural problems and high population density.
"We urge the state government to immediately cancel the project and choose a more suitable location for building the 27-storey hostel," he added. — Bernama