Proposed landfill reclamation creates perception of ‘selling out' to China, says NGO

ProtectKarpal chairman AD Chandrasekaran said the four-year recycling, reclamation and 20-year development plan would choke local traffic, displace small businesses along Karpal Singh Drive and erode the area's appeal. (File pic)
GEORGE TOWN : An NGO has urged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to reject outright the proposed 70-acre reclamation project at the Jelutong landfill, arguing among others that it creates the perception of 'selling out' to China.
In a meeting with residents of the Karpal Singh Drive area today, Protect Karpal Singh Drive action committee (ProtectKarpal) chairman AD Chandrasekaran called for the matter to be discussed in the state assembly.
'The DAP-led Penang government and its role in the (ruling) federal coalition risk severe backlash as this arrangement feeds directly into long-standing public concerns about foreign influence.
'If the project is approved, it would confirm critics' accusations against DAP's ethnic Chinese leadership of prioritising China's interests over Malaysian sovereignty, public health and environmental protection.
'Transferring this strategic location to a company directly controlled by the Chinese government raises serious national security implications that cannot be overlooked.
'The state and federal governments must demonstrate their commitment to protecting Malaysian interests,' the NGO also said in a statement.
At the centre of the controversy is a land-for-works arrangement involving China Railway Engineering Corporation (M) Sdn Bhd (CRECM), a unit of the China Railway Group.
PLB Engineering Bhd's joint development agreement with the Penang government and Penang Development Corporation grants PLB 75% of the 90-acre dumpsite and 70% of any additional reclaimed land in exchange for landfill rehabilitation.
A memorandum of understanding between PLB and CRECM also allows the China entity to fund and execute RM1.01 billion of rehabilitation work in return for 90% of PLB's entitled land.
Chandrasekaran said under the project, continuous construction and recycling machinery noise is projected to exceed the threshold of 65dB(A) during the day and 60dB(A) at night, thus disrupting sleep, impairing cognition and lowering the quality of life for thousands of residents in the area.
He added that the four-year recycling, reclamation and subsequent 20-year development plan would choke local traffic, displace small businesses along Karpal Singh Drive and erode the area's appeal as a recreational and dining precinct.
Jelutong MP RSN Rayer, who was present at the meeting, said he would bring the matter up with Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow and Sungai Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim.

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