Pas Mp Notes Objections To Terengganu Reclamation Project

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Kuala Nerus MP Khairuddin Aman Razali has noted objections against the proposed Sunrise City mixed-development project in his constituency, which would involve sea reclamation of an area spanning 768ha.
"There have been a lot of public objections, including from environmental activists against this project.
"The project requires an in-depth study on its socio-economic impact,"  Khairuddin (above) said in a Facebook post yesterday.
The former minister was responding to environmentalist group Persatuan Aktivis Sahabat Alam (Kuasa) that had mounted pressure against the PAS-led Terengganu state government to reject the proposed project located along Pantai Teluk Ketapang in Kuala Nerus.
While Kuasa had questioned the project's approval status, Khairuddin claimed a decision had already been made to not proceed with the development.
"The state government did not agree for the project to proceed," the PAS central committee member added.
Kuasa yesterday highlighted on Facebook a recent post from Greater Terengganu Development on the proposal for the Sunrise City project, as well as several images of the site. 


Among others, the group said reclamation projects would worsen coastal erosion in the area, already a long-standing problem from the annual monsoon season that has affected more than 244km of Terengganu's coastlines since many years ago.
This was on top of impacts to livelihoods of the local fishing community and others in the area, a common concern cited in protests mounted against other proposed reclamation projects, including the Penang South Islands project, which recently had its environmental impact assessment report revoked by the Department of Environment (DOE). 
According to Greater Terengganu Development, the Sunrise City project was proposed to boost the local economy and relieve congestion in Kuala Terengganu through facilities including residential and commercial areas, hotels, tourism and industrial sites.
According to the project's environmental impact assessment report submitted to the DOE on Aug 30, 2019, an Ipoh-based company, Elcca Properties Sdn Bhd, was listed as its proponent.
Key project components listed in the report include reclamation of 768ha over five phases, requiring 62 million cubic metres of sand.
It will also involve capital dredging of 8.3 million cubic metres for breakwater construction, navigation channel and turning basin (water level) to a depth of -12m.
The first phase was initially scheduled to begin in the first quarter of last year and targeted for completion in six years. - Mkini

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