NAJIB’S NEW RM30 BIL DEBACLE: IN PENANG, UMNO BERATES GUAN ENG BUT IN MALACCA – THEY HAIL LAND RECLAMATION DEAL
In the Melaka Gateway project, a RM30 billion deal, the construction firms will reclaim three islands off the coast of Melaka the federal government has hailed the project, while it condemns Penang state for reclaiming land from the sea in Penang.
MM Online reports: The Fisheries Development Board (LKIM) today gave the assurance that the board will do its utmost to prevent any land reclamation activities at the Permatang Damar Laut, Sungai Batu and Teluk Kumbar areas, here.
Its chairman Datuk Irmohizam Ibrahim said the board had vehemently opposed the project proposed by the Penang DAP government, deemed to be non-beneficial to the fishermen there.
He said the proposed reclamation area which covered an area of 809.73 hectares for the development of three artificial islands was believed to be harmful to the ecosystem and thus would jeopardise the livelihood of 1,700 fishermen from Teluk Kumbar, Gertak Sanggul, Sungai Batu and Permatang Damar Laut areas.
“The rationale of the reclamation project, as I see it, is more towards corporatisation and commercialisation, while the welfare of the lower class groups is ignored.
“This is a crucial matter and as LKIM chairman I have to ensure fish source especially fresh fish, is always available. The important thing is we are trying to reduce fish imports and Balik Pulau is among areas in Penang as well as the Melaka Straits, with the most abundant fish supply.
“So, do not destroy the economic resources available as well as the areas in which the fishermen had depended on for their livelihood all these years,” he told reporters after meeting fishermen at Dewan Nelayan Unit Sungai Batu, Teluk Kumbar, near here.
Also present was Balik Pulau MP, who is also Health Deputy Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya. Irmohizam said LKIM had built a fishermen market at Teluk Kumbar, Sungai Batu and Pulau Betong areas so that fishermen could sell their catch directly to customers and earn up to RM4 million yearly, and if the project was approved it would affect the fishermen’s sales revenue.
Well, that’s typical UMNO fairness. – ktemoc.blogspot.m
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from Malaysia Chronicle http://ift.tt/2bUy3pi
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