Reject Reclamation Plan For Rm40bil Langkawi Project Kedah Govt Told

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A still from the Widad@Langkasuka project video shows an artist’s impression of the reclamation project by the wave breaker area at Padang Mat Sirat in Langkawi.GEORGE TOWN: The massive RM40 billion reclamation project off Langkawi must not be approved as it poses a grave threat to the marine ecosystem and livelihood of coastal fisherfolk, says a group of NGOs.
The group of 24 NGOs had written to the Langkawi land office to protest a RM40 billion reclamation project involving about 2,000 acres (800ha) off the western coast.
The group, led by Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM), sent the protest on Feb 2 after the Kedah land authorities said they would approve the project if there were no objections.
SAM president Meenakshi Raman said it was premature at this stage for any authority to allow reclamation work, as it required important approvals beforehand.
She said before the state government gives the nod, the developer needs to get approval from the National Physical Planning Council (MPFN) and carry out the relevant social and environmental impact assessments reports.
“In our opinion, the relevant laws ought to be complied with as a reclamation project this huge would have a negative impact on the environment,” she said in a statement.
Meenakshi said SAM had always been against reclamation projects and in the case of Langkawi, there is a cause for concern over the devastating impact it would have on the marine ecosystem and the livelihood of coastal fisherfolk.
She also said a cost-benefit analysis ought to be carried out to see how it would affect Kedah’s finances and its economy in the long run, adding that a proper public consultation ought to be held above everything else.
“We must learn from failed reclamation projects in other countries, especially the Middle East.
“If this reclamation is allowed without complying with the law or public consultation, then this project will be considered illegal and an abuse of power,” she said.
The Kedah government has partnered with Widad Business Group Sdn Bhd, on a project to develop 800ha at Padang Mat Sirat, Langkawi. About 90% of it would involve the formation of an artificial island near the Langkawi International Airport.
The project, Widad@Langkasuka, is touted to have a gross development value of RM40 billion once it is completed, having high-end developments such as hotels, offices and business towers, shopping complexes, hospitals and universities. - FMT

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