THE Penang Government will carefully assess all legal and environmental requirements before deciding whether to proceed with the proposed closure and rehabilitation of the Jelutong Landfill, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said.
He said the state government’s decision-making process must take into account the legal implications involved, particularly as the project remains subject to the approval of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
“We want to make sure that if any action is taken, it takes into consideration the legal implications.
“So, we want to do everything to avoid any legal implications,” Chow told reporters after attending the R.A.C.E to Zero: Penang Edition – The Penang Energy Framework: Mandatory Re-Targets, Building Efficiency & Industrial Decarbonization at Eastin Hotel here today.
His remarks came after the Penang government recently granted PLB Engineering Bhd (PLBE) an extension of time (EOT) until Oct 18 to complete the proposed closure and rehabilitation works at the Jelutong Landfill.
Chow stressed that the state government must follow the prescribed legal procedures before making a final decision on whether to proceed with the project.
“Whatever decision, to go ahead or not to go ahead, is subject to EIA approval. But the procedure must comply with the legal procedure so that we don’t get into legal complications when we make that decision,” he said.
Meanwhile, referring to concerns raised by several non-governmental organisations (NGOs), Chow added that various parties were free to express their views on the matter, but the state government would continue to follow the required process.
Meanwhile, on the Penang Gateway reclamation proposal under the recently unveiled Penang 2040 Structure Plan, Chow said the state government had already received proposals from interested parties.
However, he stressed that the proposed area first needed to be formally designated under the structure plan to ensure that any future development could proceed within the appropriate planning and legal framework.
“We have received proposals, but of course, the structure plan must have this area designated. Because without that, we will also run into problems later on,” he said.
Chow explained that the Penang 2040 Structure Plan serves as a framework for potential future development, and not every proposal included in the plan would necessarily materialise.
“The State 2040 Structure Plan includes certain proposals which may happen or not happen, but the master plan caters to future development, is catering for future development,” he said.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Muhammad Iqbal Hamdan
Video by Alissala Thian