THE proposed Jelutong reclamation and landfill rehabilitation project near Karpal Singh Drive is subject to approval from the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said today.
He was responding to a reporter’s question during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Batu Kawan Public Market at Bandar Cassia.
Chow said the public feedback period for the project had ended on June 30, and the responses received would be submitted to the Department of Environment (DOE) for further review.
“Any proposed project must obtain EIA approval. Whatever it is, we must wait. If approval is not granted, we can still submit an appeal after making the necessary improvements.
“The EIA submission must be made by the deadline, which is February 26 next year.
“If we receive the approval, we will review the suggestions and address the issues that were raised,” Chow said.
The project is a collaboration between the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) and PLB Engineering Bhd. The proposed reclamation at Jelutong is part of an initiative to rehabilitate the ageing landfill, which has been in use since the early 1970s.
Chow added that following a recent engagement with the Protect Karpal Singh Drive Action Committee, state Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jason H’ng had met with representatives from PLB and PDC to better understand the suggestions put forward.
“The project includes profit-sharing components, with certain portions of land allocated to the state government.
“A rescaling of the project may require the state government to make sacrifices of our portion,” he added.
Earlier, Chow officiated the groundbreaking of Batu Kawan’s first public market, which will house over 82 stalls and 78 outdoor trading lots.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar
Video by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis