Penang’s Ecosystem in Danger If Development is Left Unchecked

At a “Speak Up” forum organised by 11 civil society organisations in Penang late last month, members of the public and various associations discussed their concerns, many of which involved the impact of mega infrastructure projects and development, which could cause flash floods and landslides.

These, alongside concerns about rising heat on the island, the environmental impact of land reclamation, traffic congestion and an ageing population, were also brought up by the non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

One of the most outspoken long-time NGOs for consumers in Malaysia is the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP), which was founded in 1969.

For CAP to be established in Penang was not a coincidence, observes its president Mohideen Abdul Kader. At that time, Penangites were discontented with the government, the economy and rising prices due to new taxes and inflation.

Datuk Dr Anwar Fazal, a well-known advocate for consumer rights, co-founded CAP when he was working for the Penang City Council. This decision was made after a public forum – attended by trade unionists, high school students, women’s groups and teachers – was held to discuss the rights of Malaysians. S M Mohamed Idris, who was a prominent community leader and long-serving municipal councillor, was elected president.

Over the years, CAP has fought for the rights of displaced farmers and, famously, against the Bukit Merah Asian Rare Earth Plant in Perak that was blamed for causing birth defects and leukaemia cases in the surrounding community. The plant was shut down in 1994.

What are the pressing issues faced by Penang residents now? Mohideen cites affordable housing, public transport, food security, negative impacts of artificial intelligence, scams and environmental destruction involving hill cutting and reclamation of the sea.

The rapid development in the island is concerning, he adds. “We are concerned that it will lower the quality of life of the people, and the health of Penang’s ecosystem is in danger of deterioration if left unchecked. We must understand that our growth rates will bring about social, economic and environmental challenge.

“What is most disconcerting is that the state government, instead of taking preventive measures such as protecting hill lands and planting more trees to prevent soil erosion and surface water runoff, is approving more hill cutting and removal of trees along roads for all kinds of development projects.”

On the other hand, Penangites are expected to get its first Light Rail Transit (LRT) – the Mutiara Line – by 2031, connecting the new Silicon Island, Penang Island and Seberang Perai on the mainland. However, the cost of the project has increased to RM16.8 billion.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has said the project is necessary to ensure that there is balanced development in the state that benefits all of its people.

CAP raised concerns about this development and believes there are other cheaper, less disruptive and more modern solutions. “Ultimately, the financial impact will fall upon taxpayers. There are other viable modes of public transport to consider, which could be implemented at a lower cost,” says Mohideen.

Land Reclamation a Tricky Issue

CAP is also strongly against land reclamation projects in Penang. “The delicate balance between land reclamation and economic development hinges on the potential disruption of the marine ecosystem and current flow, which may lead to siltation, as evident from the extensive sedimentation observed along the coastal area south of Tanjong Tokong and south of Penang Island,” says Mohideen.

“Once the damage is done, it is irreversible, particularly with the depletion of fishing grounds and the threat to the seagrass meadow that serves as a vital habitat for marine life.”

This sentiment is echoed by Andrew Han, a filmmaker and community organiser with Jaringan Ekologi dan Iklim (Jedi) Malaysia. The NGO has been working with fishing communities in Penang.

“We hear a lot about severe storms and tree fallings. And because we work with a lot of coastal communities, we see damage in their fishing shacks, boats and nets,” he says.

Han says the fishermen feel that their catch has decreased due to land reclamation activities. Last year, seven fishermen, Jedi and Sahabat Alam Malaysia – another NGO based in Penang – filed an appeal against the Penang High Court’s dismissal of their judicial review against the approval for the Penang South Islands (PSI) reclamation project.

Penang has multiple land reclamation activities, and the biggest one currently is the PSI project. In 2013, the project was downsized from three islands to one, and only one 2,300-acre project – called the Silicon Island – will proceed, due to a request from the prime minister.

The Silicon Island is designed to host a tech park as well as commercial and residential areas.

The state government has said the project will continue. Gamuda Bhd, which is developing the PSI, has said it is implementing a social impact management plan, which includes new fishing jetties, a navigation channel for around-the-clock access to the sea, and an environmental management plan, including containment bunds and silt curtains around the reclamation area, and a real-time total suspended solids monitoring programme.

CAP believes that there is land available across the bridge in Batu Kawan for economic growth, which is well connected to Butterworth port and Bayan Lepas Airport. “Investing there would contribute to bridging the uneven economic and social development between the mainland and island,” says Mohideen.

“One major issue in Penang is that development projects are approved in the absence of a local plan to ensure that development and land use planning are done properly, taking into account various aspects, with proper accountability and transparency.”

– from The Edge Malaysia (1 January 2026)

Original article here:
https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/787438