Consumers association denies Penang reclamation is well received by fishermen

GEORGE TOWN (Dec 18): Consumers Association Penang (CAP) is refuting a state representative's claim that the proposed reclamation project in Permatang Damar Laut, Penang, is well-received by fishermen working in the area.

In a press statement yesterday, CAP president S M Mohamed Idris said Batu Maung assemblyman Datuk Abdul Malik Abul Kassim’s claim to the effect was untrue as the association had met the fishing community who had raised serious concern over the proposed project.

In addition, he said, fishermen had also held a protest against the project on Sunday.

"CAP would like to stress that past reclamation projects in the state had brought about many negative effects. For example, fishing communities in Tanjung Tokong and Sungai Gelugor face a significantly smaller catch due to reclamation projects. Fishermen in these areas are not only forced to go further, but also to spend more time and expenditure for a catch of sufficient size.

"Based on CAP’s observation, the reclamation projects not only lead to a shrinking fishing zone and destruction of fishing grounds, but also sea pollution and sedimentation.

"Besides declining fish and prawn population, which make up the bulk of the fishermen’s catch, the breeding areas of cockles and mussels are also badly affected, leading to their extinction," he said

He said CAP had received complaints from fishermen in Permatang Damar Laut regarding pollution from mud deposits and sedimentation, to no avail.

"No serious action has been taken by the state government to rectify the pollution problem. As a result, when they cast their nets to catch fish, they trap mud in their nets instead," he said.

He urged the Penang government to consider the impact on the environment and on the livelihoods of local communities before proceeding with any project. 

“In aiming at progress, you must let no one suffer by too drastic a measure, nor pay too high a price in upheaval and devastation, for your innovation," he said, quoting Rene Maunier.

On Sunday, about 1,000 fishermen working in Permatang Damar Laut to Sungai Pinang in Balik Pulau gathered to protest against the proposed reclamation, which they said would be the death of the fishing community. -- The Malaysian Insider