Land Reclamation: State govt’s reasons cannot be accepted

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BALIK PULAU: The reasons used by the Penang DAP state government to approve land reclamation near Batu Maung here for economic development are unacceptable, says Balik Pulau Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Hilmi Yahya.

He pointed out that the reclamation at Permatang Damar Laut would badly affect the income of fishermen and also have serious repercussions on marine life.

“So, I hope the state government will review the approval by taking into account the lot of the local residents and the sustainability of marine life,” said Hilmi, who is also health deputy minister.

He was talking to reporters after opening a corporate social responsibility programme in conjunction with the Public University Vice-Chancellor/Rector Committee Meeting at the Teluk Bahang National Park near here yesterday.

Meanwhile, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Kamarudin Hussin told Bernama after the programme that the issues for discussion today would touch on implementation of resolutions, policies and strategies of the government to transform Malaysia into a developed nation.

“We will also discuss how to boost the income of the universities and share our expertise to help the people by channelling aid such as items of basic needs,” said Kamarudin who will chair the meeting.

Earlier in his speech, he touched on the 40 per cent scheme which was  formulated to boost the participation of youths from poor families at interior areas.

“Universities, currently, do not measure the excellence of a student merely from the academic aspect but also take into account communication skill, leadership, problem solving, ethical entrepreneurship and identity,” he added.

In George Town, Penang Barisan Nasional (BN) yesterday questioned the action of the DAP state government in keeping a Bayan Bay land reclamation project here a secret from the public.

Its chairman, Teng Chang Yeow said in a statement that the project was approved by the state government on Aug 29, 2013, but was only announced by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng on Nov 6. — Bernama