Keep fruits crops in Kelicap Residential area: CAP

The  Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) hopes that the Penang City Council (MBPP) will give due consideration to the problems faced by some of the 84 families who cultivate in the open land at Pintasan Kelicap, Jalan Dato Ismail Hashim, Bayan Lepas here.

Following the MBPP’s notice directing them to remove the crops and structures without permission on the shoulder of the road, CAP also called for the order to be withdrawn and revoked for the common good.

CAP, which received complaints from the affected residents, sent an official letter to the Mayor and Director of Landscape of MBPP on November 1, 2021 expressing CAP’s sympathy to those who have been carrying out such activities for more than 20 years and now have to face legal action.

CAP survey found that there are about 10 types of subsistence crops grown in the open space in front of the residents’ homes here. Among the trees found in the area are coconut, mango, guava, herbs including pandan and lemongrass.

CAP understands, agricultural activities here are not only to meet the food needs of the family but also as a buffer zone to prevent the effects of dust pollution, black smoke (carbon monoxide) and noise by vehicles passing on the road nearby.

CAP supports the agricultural activities carried out by the residents here as it has a positive impact on their lives as well as the environment in the area. In fact, this effort is also a success of the state government’s slogan of Penang, Green and Clean and the urban agriculture project launched by the federal government.

CAP believes that guidance and cooperation must be implemented continuously between the residents, Local Authorities (PBT) of the state government and Non -Governmental Organizations (NGOs) such as CAP to achieve this goal.

Press Statement, 8 November 2021