Penang State Government Should Review Its Mega Projects
SAM Support
CAP Press Release 31 May 2018
The federal government has announced it is reviewing expensive projects in view of the high debts and the need to improve the financial situation. CAP congratulates the government for this move. So far the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail project and the Klang Valley MRT 3 project have been cancelled while the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) and other projects are being reviewed.
CAP congratulates the federal government for these bold and quick moves to save much-needed funds and improve the nation’s finances.
This review of mega projects should not be limited to federal projects. The same review should be done by state governments, on the same principle of avoiding luxury projects and saving costs to protect the finances of the nation and state and the rakyat’s future.
The Penang state government should review the expensive projects it is involved in, and put them on hold until such a review is completed.
CAP is concerned that the new Chief Minister has made it a priority to speed up the implementation of the state’s expensive projects especially those related to the Transport Plan. He even hoped that the new Finance Minister, who is the previous Penang Chief Minister, will be able to assist Penang in getting the projects implemented.
Read moreGovernment must act now in wake of 4 November Penang flood tragedy
Press Statement 5 Nov 2017
The Consumers’ Association of Penang and Sahabat Alam Malaysia are very distressed by the tragedy that has taken place yesterday and early morning today in Penang.
The floods, landslides and the disruption of people's lives are even much worse than what happened on 15th Sept.
Yes - there was non stop rain and very high winds, but the major factors causing this mega flood and landslides have been the removal of the hill forests,silting of the rivers and overdevelopment in Penang which has replaced the green areas with concrete. This has resulted in the heavy rainfall not being able to be drained because of the loss of trees and fields which act as a sponge absorbing the water and because the rivers and drainage system are clogged up by silt and cannot clear the rain water.
The State government has to fully recognise that we are in a state of environmental and social crisis. It can no longer be in a state of denial. It must at last recognise that we have genuine manifold problems and that these problems have to be tackled head on, instead of the State being on the defensive and denying that there is any crisis or problems.
Tanah Runtuh di Tanjung Bungah – Kerajaan Negeri dan MBPP Mesti Menjelaskan Kenapa Bantahan JAS Tidak Dipedulikan dan Perlu Bertanggungjawab
Kenyataan Akhbar 23 Oktober 2017
Persatuan Pengguna Pulau Pinang (CAP), Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) dan Persatuan Penduduk Tanjung Bungah (TBRA) amat terkejut apabila mendapati bahawa Kerajaan Negeri dan Majlis Bandaraya Pulau Pinang (MBPP) memilih untuk tidak mempedulikan bantahan oleh Jabatan Alam Sekitar (JAS) bagi tapak pembangunan projek kediaman di Lembah Permai, Tanjung Bungah.
JAS telah menolak permohonan bagi kebenaran merancang selepas mengambilkira bahawa tapak pembangunan itu terletak berdekatan kawasan kuari dan tidak terdapat zon penampan antara projek apartmen dan aktiviti kuari berdekatan seperti yang dinyatakan dalam ‘Garis Panduan Tapak dan Zon Kawasan Kediaman dan Industri’.
Read moreTanjung Bungah Landslide- State Government and MBPP must explain why DOE objection ignored and be held accountable
Press Statement 23 October 2017
The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP), Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) and Tanjung Bungah Residents Association (TBRA) are shocked to learn that the State Government and the Majlis Bandaraya Pulau Pinang (MBPP) have chosen to ignore the objection of the Department of Environment (DOE) for siting the development of the residential project in Lembah Permai, Tanjung Bungah.
The DOE had rejected the application for planning approval after taking into consideration that the development site is located close to a permanent granite quarry and as there was no buffer zone between the apartment project and the quarrying activities nearby, as required by the ‘Guidelines of Siting and Zoning of Industries and Residential Areas’.
Read moreNelayan Pantai Menjadi Mangsa Projek Tambak Laut Di P.Pinang
Kenyataan Media 5 Oktober 2017
Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) kesal serta bimbang berhubung ancaman berterusan ke atas kehidupan lebih 4,000 nelayan pantai Pulau Pinang berikutan projek tambak laut yang sedang dan akan dilaksanakan di negeri ini.
Walau pun banyak bantahan telah dibuat oleh nelayan-nelayan pantai yang terlibat dan SAM sebelum ini namun hingga sekarang belum menampakkan jaminan kukuh dari kerajaan Pulau Pinang bahawa projek tersebut tidak mengancam alam sekitar dan kehidupan masyarakat nelayan di negeri ini.
Kejadian terbaru yang menimpa nelayan pantai Batu Uban di sini membuktikan bahawa pihak yang bertanggungjawab tidak memberi perhatian sewajarnya bagi membela nasib dan kehidupan nelayan kini dan pada masa akan datang.
Berikutan sikap acuh tak acuh pihak itu banyak aduan dan rungutan yang SAM terima dari nelayan terbabit mengenai kemerosotan hasil tangkapan yang mereka alami berpunca dari projek tambak laut yang telah dilaksanakan di beberapa kawasan di negeri ini.
Read moreNeed to stop further hill and tree cutting and over-development in Penang
Press Release 15 September 2017
Sahabat Alam Malaysia and the Consumers’ Association of Penang are alarmed by the massive flash floods that hit Penang both on the island and the mainland following intense downpours throughout the early morning of Friday, 15 September.
Apart from many areas in Penang under water, we also received news of landslides and mudslides in several areas such as in Tanjung Bungah and Paya Terubong, where hill cutting is going on for more high-rise projects.
Clearly, despite previous incidences of floods and landslides in Penang following intense rains, we do not seem to have learned any lessons.
Heavy tropical storms are to be expected in Penang and in the country.
Read moreAtasi segera masalah pencemaran di parit-parit JPS, Daerah Seberang Perai Selatan
Nelayan menunjukkan tumbuhan liar menjalar di Sungai Jawi. Gambar : SAM
Kenyataan Media 16 Ogos 2017
Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) dan Persatuan Kebajikan Nelayan-Nelayan Pantai Pulau Pinang (PIFWA) meminta pihak Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran (JPS) dan pihak-pihak yang berkenaan memantau dan mengatasi masalah pencemaran parit-parit kawalan JPS yang dilihat semakin ketara pencemaran airnya pada ketika ini.
Antara parit-parit yang didapati tercemar adalah Parit D3 (Parit Paya Mahang B), Parit A3/PT.SIAM A3, Parit E2 (Parit Kg.Baru B) dan beberapa parit lagi sekitar kawasan Seberang Perai Selatan (SPS). Parit-parit tersebut dapat dilihat dengan jelas dari jalan besar dan melalui Lebuhraya Utara Selatan di susur masuk plaza tol Batu Kawan. Selainnya kena menyelusuri jalan ban melalui Sungai Bakap, Batu Kawan, Bukit Tambun, Simpang Ampat (Daerah SPS) serta Mukim 12, Jalan Kebun Baru dan Jalan Ban Sungai Sembilang, Juru (Daerah SPT).
Read morePollution in did drainage systems at Seberang Perai Selatan Needs to be resolved immediately
Press Statement 16 August 2017
Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) and Penang Inshore Fishermen Welfare Association (PIFWA) are requesting the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) and related agencies to monitor and address the water pollution problems in DID’s drainage systems that are becoming more noticeable day by day.
The drains that are found polluted includes Parit D3 (Parit Paya Mahang B), Parit A3/PT.SIAM A3, Parit E2 (Parit Kg.Baru B) and few other drains around the area of Seberang Perai Selatan. These drains can be clearly seen from the main road and the North-South Expressway, from the Batu Kawan toll exit. Other than that, these drains can also be seen by accessing the following roads: Sungai Bakap, Batu Kawan, Bukit Tambun, Simpang Ampat (SPS District) as well as Mukim 12 Jalan Kebun Baru and Jalan Ban Sungai Sembilang, Juru (Seberang Perai Tengah District).
Read moreCadangan Projek Tiga Jalan Utama di Pulau Pinang: Bukan Penyelesaian Kepada Masalah Lalu Lintas
Siaran Akhbar 13 Julai 2017
Ramai penduduk Pulau Pinang tidak menyedari bahawa Laporan Penilaian Kesan Kepada Alam Sekeliling (EIA) bagi cadangan projek tiga jalan utama di Pulau Pinang telah dipamerkan untuk ulasan awam sejak 19 Jun 2017.
Persatuan Pengguna Pulau Pinang (CAP) dan Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) telah menulis surat kepada Jabatan Alam Sekitar (JAS) untuk meminta lanjutan masa bagi mengemukakan ulasan bertulis (yang akan berakhir pada 19 Julai 2017). Kami masih menanti maklum balas.
Biasanya, laporan EIA akan dipamerkan selama sebulan untuk disemak oleh orang awam dan dua minggu lagi akan diperuntukkan untuk mengemukakan ulasan. Tetapi tidak dalam kes ini, walaupun ia melibatkan sebahagian besar penduduk Pulau Pinang.
Ramai daripada mereka yang berpotensi terjejas oleh projek ini mungkin tidak mengetahui bahawa jalan itu akan berada berdekatan dengan rumah, pejabat, bangunan perniagaan atau ia akan melalui kawasan hutan dan sungai. Sesetengah daripada kesannya tidak dapat dikembalikan seperti sedia kala seperti pembersihan hutan, pemotongan bukit dan pengambilan rumah dan tanah.
Read moreCleanup begins after Penang flash floods
Nst 2 September 2016
GEORGE TOWN: A massive cleanup process was in full swing at several areas affected by flash floods in Bayan Baru today. A check at Kampung Sungai Nibong Kecil showed residents clearing rubbish and clogged drainage after the knee-deep floodwaters subsided about 9am. They took about two hours to mop up the floodwater that had seeped into their houses after it overflowed from the drainage next to their single-storey wooden houses. Click to Read.