Penang Forum is shocked to learn that the Department of Environment in Putrajaya (DOE) has approved the Detail Environmental Impact Assessment (DEIA) report for the Seri Tanjung Pinang Phase 2 (STP2) development in Penang.
This project will involve reclamation of 760 acres of the sea in the north east coast of Penang island to form a man-made island which will be about 85 per cent the size of Pulau Jerejak. It will be the biggest reclamation project in Malaysia
In the public review of the DEIA report, the last day for public submission of feedback and objections was 14 March 2014. The DOE approval letter was dated 10 April 2014. All this in less than four weeks for a project of such magnitude and of significant impact to Penang and Penangites. The DOE has given new meaning to the term ‘fast track’.
Penang Forum, other NGOs and concerned Penangites submitted feedback and objections to the DOE. None of the objectors receive any acknowlegement or response. The DEIA process requires the project initiator and consultants to respond to all written comments from the public within 45 days.
The objectors raised many pertinent questions on the validity of the findings of the DEIA consultants. Flawed and questionable assumptions were used to underestimate and overvalue the proposed project.
For example, the price of shrimps was assumed to be US$200/tonne (RM0.70 per kg.) in the projected loss to the fishermen when the current market price of shrimps is about a hundred times that assumed.
In the traffic impact assessment, the public transport mode share was optimistically assumed to be 40 per cent when the current mode share is only about 3 per cent.
Was an expert panel review carried out by the DOE, as required, before approval was given? What were the findings of this expert panel review?
Were the comments and feedback submitted by the public reviewed and considered – as not a single point raised was taken in the approval letter?
This raises serious questions about the transparency of the DOE approval process and we want answers to the questions raised.
In the best interest for the people of Penang, Penang Forum calls on the Penang state government to address the issues and questions raised by NGOs and concerned Penangites.
We call on the state government to do due dilligence on this where the federal DOE in Putrajaya has failed to do so.
The DEIA report cannot be accepted as it is.
On behalf of Penang Forum Steering Committee
22 April 2014
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(Someone) works well with Umno for this. You cannot clap using one hand. So Dap takes care Umno better than us regular Malays. Proven.
A good warning by Don. Thanks.
Property bubble is bursting soon in Asia as Asia’s riches tycoon Li Ka Shing and son Richard have turned bearish on Chinese real estate and started dumping their property assets in Hong Kong and China. They are turning their attention to properties in Europe, particularly in London, where the interest rates are all-time low. Already the property speculators in Taiwan are feeling the heat. Soon Singapore and Malaysia?
Better think twice before you commit to your speculative purchase as Li Ka Shing has proven records of affecting property prices in Asia.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonchang/2014/04/20/chinas-warren-buffett-has-just-sold-off-his-china-assets/
http://www.sovereignman.com/trends/the-richest-man-in-asia-is-selling-everything-in-china-14208/
http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/Business-News/2014/04/10/Family-of-Asias-richest-man-sells-US$928mil-Beijing-property/
DOE is mesmerised by the ‘splendour’ of World City?
This raises serious questions about the transparency of the DOE approval process and whether the Penang State govt has a hand in it.
Anil,
You have just highlighted how these Umno schmucks are good at when it comes to pricing when it weights in their (GLC’s) favour. They must be using what Najib is also able to get a chicken at 1 ringgit each just like the shrimp when the market price is 100 times more than the price they came up with. How else can they justify their approval ? Isn’t it time for these schmucks to get kicked out of Putrajaya before the country is in bigger shamble than it is in !