PETALING JAYA: The Penang government has denied that it plans to carry out land reclamation at the coastal area from Tanjung Bungah to Batu Ferringhi.
Infrastructure committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the Penang State Structure Plan 2040 (Review) merely identifies the coastal area as a potential area for reclamation.
Zairil, a two-term Tanjong Bunga assemblyman, said this does not mean the state government has decided to carry out reclamation there, Bernama reported.
He said the stretch was only identified as a potential reclamation area in the future based on studies into the geographical and hydrological aspects.
“However, whether it will proceed or even when it will be implemented has not been decided by the state government,” he said.
Zairil said the state government can identify potential reclamation areas from time to time as part of its long-term planning, though its implementation remains subject to the administration’s decision.
He said the same issue arose after the Middle Bank was identified as a potential area for reclamation in the previous structure plan. However, no reclamation was carried out there.
Middle Bank, located between Penang island and the mainland, is a sprawling mudflat known for its marine life and seagrass beds.
Zairil said said traffic congestion issues must be first considered in any proposal for large-scale reclamation in the northern part of Penang island.
