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Protest against Penang Land Reclamation Project
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The proposed reclamation project off Permatang Damar Laut, called the South Reclamation Scheme (SRS), was meant to fund the RM27 billion TMP.
The SRS includes the creation of two man-made islands, of about 2,000 acres and 1,300 acres respectively, and later another island covering 800 acres.
The state government has since said the islands will have residential and commercial development along with amenities such as a 5km beach, 25km coastal park, 30km waterfront and 700 acres of green spaces.
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BN Pulau Betong assemblyman, Muhammad Farid Saad, chickens out! Cluck, cluck, cluck…
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Muhammad Farid had been scheduled to table a motion urging the state government to scrap the proposed land reclamation at the southern tip of the island, which covers some 1,619ha.
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21 May 2016
Star
20 May 2016 | MYT 11:08 PM
Assemblyman withdraws motion against Penang land reclamation plan
GEORGE TOWN: A much-anticipated motion by Barisan Nasional’s Pulau Betong assemblyman Muhammad Farid Saad against land reclamation plans in Penang became a tame event when he withdrew it at the state assembly here.
State Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow (DAP-Padang Kota) instead tabled an emergency motion, which was unanimously agreed and adopted by the House.
There was no opposition to the motion when it was put forward.
Chow’s 11th hour motion stated that the Penang state government would not initiate the reclamation project until a detailed environmental impact assessment (DEIA) approval is obtained from the Federal Department of Environment (DOE).
The DEIA report would also have to be scrutinised and reviewed by the Penang Transport Council (PTC).
Chow’s motion also stated that the state government would look for other alternatives in terms of funding the planned Penang Transport Master Plan projects that have a feasible and sustainable model, including seeking financing from the Federal Government.
All the PKR assemblymen, including the controversial “PKR Five” – Cheah Kah Pheng (Kebun Bunga), Ong Chin Wen (Bukit Tengah), Dr Norela Ariffin (Penanti), Dr T. Jayabalan (Batu Uban) and Lee Khai Loon (Machang Bubok) – voted for the motion.
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20 May 2016
NST
Read More : http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/05/146824/penang-govt-table-emergency-motion-over-land-reclamation-proposal
Scrap land reclamation for people’s sake, BN rep tells Penang govt
GEORGE TOWN, April 19 ― Penang Barisan Nasional (BN) lawmaker Muhamad Farid Saad wants the Pakatan Harapan state government to cancel reclaiming the southern side of the island as part of its Penang Transport Master Plan (TMP).
The Pulau Betong assemblyman said he will be filing a motion at the next legislative assembly for the state government to drop its proposal to reclaim 4,000 acres of land from the sea.
“I know the state government will be speaking about the TMP so I want to propose this motion against the land reclamation part of the project,” he told reporters today.
He hoped the state legislative assembly Speaker will not reject his motion in the upcoming sitting next month.
“There are fishermen and residents who are against this proposed reclamation so they should cancel it for the people’s sake,” he said.
He added that such projects not only affect the environment but also the livelihood of fishermen living there.
Muhamad Farid had proposed a similar motion in the previous sitting where he had asked for public hearings to be held for any proposed reclamation projects in the state.
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5 December 2015
Free Malaysia Today
Don’t hide anything about reclamation projects, says Farid
Assemblyman behind motion for public hearings says the people have a right to all details.
SUNGAI PETANI: The Penang state government has been urged to be transparent and not conceal information from the people about land reclamation projects planned for implementation in the state.
Pulau Betong assemblyman Muhammad Farid Saad said the people had the right to know relevant details of the project which involves not only the environment but also their socio-economy.
“The people of Penang have the right to know in detail about the project particularly its impact. A number of non-governmental organisations have also issued statements supporting a public hearing on the project. I hope the state government would consider the request and they must also be transparent and not hide anything on the issue,” he said here on Friday.
Muhamad Farid had tabled a motion at the state assembly on Nov 27 for public hearings on the reclamation project. He had also called for future projects to be suspended until a further study had been done on its impact on the environment, and to halt the project if the outcome was found to be adverse.
The motion was rejected after failing to get majority support with nine assemblymen of the Barisan Nasional and one from DAP voting in favour. Five assembly members of Parti Keadilan Rakyat chose to abstain.
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weehingthong 