Penang open to renegotiating reclamation off Persiaran Karpal Singh
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state government remained committed to upholding the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, and any decision would be based on its outcome.
The state government has given the project developer until February next year to obtain the EIA approval, he added.
"The public hearing ended on June 30 and the company needs to review the concerns raised and address them accordingly," said Chow.
"Should the EIA approval not be granted, the project may not proceed. If approved, we can renegotiate and scrutinise the work methods to minimise any issues."
He was responding to ProtectKarpal — the Protect Karpal Singh Drive Action Committee, a group protesting the project — which claimed that the state was willing to scale down the reclamation project.
Chow confirmed the claim and said the state government was open to considering the group's requests.
He also said while an agreement existed between the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) and the developer, the state government was open to renegotiation.
"Scaling down the project will not necessarily affect the contract, but will require some 'sacrifices' on our part, particularly the land we are supposed to receive from the reclamation.
"Sometimes, we have to make sacrifices or adjust our share to ensure a balanced outcome that benefits Penang and protects the environment."
ProtectKarpal met Chow more than a week ago and submitted its demands, including a full rejection of the proposed reclamation due to potential ecological damage.
It also called for Middle Bank, a seagrass-rich coastal area near the proposed project site, to be immediately gazetted as a marine sanctuary, citing its importance to local fisheries and ecological stability.
In 2020, PDC signed a RM1 billion deal with PLB Engineering Bhd to develop and rehabilitate the Jelutong landfill.
The site was originally a sanitary landfill, but since 2002, only construction debris and garden waste have been allowed.
Earlier, Chow was met at the groundbreaking ceremony for the first and largest market complex in Batu Kawan.
Costing RM46 million including earthworks, the project is expected to be completed by June 2027.
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