This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on December 23, 2015.

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has given an assurance that it would address the concerns of fishermen protesting a massive land reclamation project off the southern coast of the state.

State executive councillor Datuk Abdul Malik Abul Kassim admitted yesterday that he had not spoken to all fishermen to explain what the reclamation project — proposed to finance the RM27 billion Penang Transport Masterplan — would bring for the state’s future.

“The state will call for a properly organised meeting soon. It will be a session with proper presentations.

“Over the next few weeks, we will plan some sessions to brief the village development and security committees,” Abdul Malik told reporters in Komtar here yesterday.

On Monday, representatives from several fishermen groups criticised the state for allegedly failing to engage them in the reclamation proposal off Permatang Damar Laut, which could affect fishing grounds and their livelihoods.

They also hit out at Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng for not responding to their memorandum sent last Monday.

Abdul Malik was also criticised for not listening to their grouses and claiming that the fishermen in the area were supportive of the land reclamation.

Abdul Malik denied that Guan Eng was not interested in meeting the fishermen.

“We are still in a very early stage at this point. We have already had three sessions, including one closed dialogue with elected representation and non-governmental organisations, and an open session with the public earlier this month.

“Next, we will go and see the fishermen and get their feedback. We are coming,” he said.

Abdul Malik said a public hearing would be called with consultants going down to talk to all stakeholders for their views, once the project gets the nod from the federal authorities.

“The detailed environmental impact assessment, social impact study, and others will have to be done.”

Abdul Malik said he just met with locals, including about 100 fishermen in his area last Saturday, and had explained the master plan and the reclamation proposal.

“I told them Penang must move forward and traffic congestion is a problem we must overcome. This is all for the advancement of Penang’s economy. This means the state is putting the people’s interests first,” he said. — The Malaysian Insider