PSR: Compensation a pittance compared to mega project value - Fishermen

GEORGE TOWN, Jan 17 -- The fishermen affected by the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project in Gertak Sanggul, Teluk Kumbar, here, have expressed dissatisfaction over the proposed amount of compensation to be paid by the state government.

Penang Fishermen’s Association (Pen Mutiara) chairman, Mahadi Md Rodzi said the proposed compensation was ridiculous as it was too little compared to the size of the project while the fishermen risked losing their income permanently.

“The RM20,000 in compensation is unreasonable and the proposed payment methods are inconsistent. For example, fishermen nearest to Island A or in Permatang Damar Laut will be paid first with 75 per cent of the compensation amount and the balance will be paid at RM800 per year.

“Fishermen in Sungai Batu and Gertak Sanggul (under A category) will receive 25 per cent of the compensation sum while for the B category, it's only RM4,000 in a one-off payment and there is no plan for fishermen under the C category,” he told Bernama.

Mahadi said the association remained adamant with its stand to protest the project.

On other packages such as new jetties, fishermen's cooperative, tuition scheme for their children, training schemes for fishermen and job opportunities for eligible candidates, Mahadi said the other proposals other than the financial compensation were not encouraging at all.

“We already know that the government’s allocation for jetties has always been consistent and there is no need for another cooperative because the majority of us are members of fishermen’s associations under the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia Act 1971.

“What kind of training will they offer and do the fishermen have to turn to other jobs such as becoming contract workers, security guards and cleaners?” he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister 1, Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman told Bernama that the financial compensation was part of the package to improve the fishermen’s quality of life which would be announced on Thursday.

Under the PSR project, the state government has proposed a development project to reclaim 1,821 hectares including building three man-made islands south of the Penang International Airport up to the Permatang Damar Laut waters.

The Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) costing RM46 billion will also involve the construction of an undersea tunnel to connect the island to the mainland, highways, LRT and monorail, and a comprehensive network of buses between the island and Seberang Perai.

-- BERNAMA