Why did Penang PAS urge the state government to scrap the Penang South Reclamation project?

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Penang PAS Urges Project Cancellation Following EIA Approval Revocation

Penang PAS has called for the immediate cancellation of the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project, citing the recent revocation of its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approval. This call is primarily driven by concerns for the sustainability of the ecosystem and the preservation of the fishing community's livelihood. The party has indicated its support for the fishing and island communities should the state government persist with the project.
Rationale for Project Cancellation

Penang PAS Commissioner Muhammad Fauzi Yusoff explicitly stated that the project's cancellation is essential for the sake of ecosystem sustainability and to protect the income sources of the fishing community. This stance underscores a commitment to environmental conservation and the economic well-being of affected local populations. The revocation of the EIA approval by the Department of Environment (DoE) Appeals Board is seen by PAS as a validation of these concerns.
The Appeals Board's Decision

The revocation of the EIA approval was a significant development, stemming from an appeal lodged by Zakaria Ismail, the leader of the Sungai Batu Fishermen Unit. Representing the fishing community, Ismail filed the appeal against the project's EIA approval under Section 35(1)(e) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974. The DoE Appeals Board, comprising Sessions Court judge Rozina Ayob, Prof Datuk Mazlin Mokhtar, and Associate Professor Ramdzan Abdullah, set aside the approval, deeming the decision transparent, mature, and fair.
Project Scope and Context

The Penang South Reclamation project itself involves the creation of three man-made islands, intended to cover an area of 1,700 hectares in the waters off Permatang Damar Laut. This extensive development was initially conceptualised as a crucial funding mechanism for the broader Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), an initiative with an estimated cost of RM46 billion. The scale and potential environmental impact of the PSR project have been central to the opposition it faces.

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Why did Penang PAS urge the state government to scrap the Penang South Reclamation project?

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