CJMY
The proposed land reclamation project off Karpal Singh Drive has raised concerns among environmentalists and local residents over its potential impact on the Middle Bank Marine Sanctuary.
Despite assurances from Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow that the project will not encroach on the sanctuary, experts warn that indirect effects such as sedimentation and habitat destruction could pose significant threats.
Scientists raise alarm over Middle Bank’s future
The Middle Bank Marine Sanctuary, covering approximately 10 square kilometres in the Strait of Penang, is home to a diverse marine ecosystem.
A report by the Penang Institute titled Protecting Penang’s Marine Biodiversity: Establishing the Middle Bank Marine Sanctuary highlights its ecological significance.
The sanctuary supports 429 species, including seagrass meadows vital for carbon storage, commercial fish species, migratory birds, marine mammals, and endangered turtles.
Professor Aileen Tan, Director of Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies, cautioned that the proposed 500-metre buffer zone may not be sufficient.
“Half of the Middle Bank will be affected, putting the seagrass meadows and marine life at risk,” she said.
Marine ecologist Dr. Jilliana Ooi of Universiti Malaya added that reclamation could alter water dynamics, leading to siltation that suffocates seagrass beds.
“Restoration efforts often fail, with less than a 40% success rate,” she explained.
Karpal Singh Drive reclamation project sparks debate
The proposed project involves reclaiming 70 acres of sea using 5.2 million cubic metres of sand.
The developer’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report states that the reclamation site is located within or adjacent to the Middle Bank’s deep channel.
While the Chief Minister has denied that the project will physically encroach on the sanctuary, experts argue that indirect consequences, such as sediment displacement and altered water flow, could lead to irreversible damage.
Environmentalists are calling for an independent review of the project’s environmental impact.
The Protect Karpal Singh Drive Action Committee (ProtectKarpal), a coalition of local residents, is urging the government to prioritise conservation efforts.
“Scientific evidence must guide decision-making. The Middle Bank is a crucial part of Penang’s natural heritage, and its loss would be devastating,” the committee said in a statement.
Conservationists and community groups have proposed several measures to mitigate potential damage.
These include gazetting the Middle Bank Marine Sanctuary as a protected area, conducting a more comprehensive environmental assessment, and considering alternative solutions such as extending Jelutong Landfill’s rehabilitation timeline to reduce the need for reclamation.
The public is encouraged to participate in the feedback process on the project’s EIA report. Residents can submit their concerns online and join local advocacy groups to stay informed.
As discussions continue, stakeholders await further clarification from the state government on how it plans to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability.
Concerned citizens can take immediate action:
- Submit feedback on the EIA report: https://shorturl.at/0YYBM
- Join the Protect Karpal Singh Drive WhatsApp group: https://tinyurl.com/ProtectKarpal
- Learn more: https://protect-middle-bank.pages.dev
The Middle Bank is an irreplaceable natural asset. We must act now to preserve Penang’s marine heritage for future generations.
C. Khor
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