As Nurul Izzah Anwar joins the critics, could Penang South Reclamation project be stopped?

Critics say the multibillion-dollar island-building scheme, also known as BiodiverCity, will devastate marine life and may be rendered obsolete by coronavirus-fuelled work-from-home practices

Dredging had been expected to begin soon, but political heavyweight Nurul Izzah Anwar’s withdrawal of support in a ‘bombshell’ announcement has given activists hope that the project is not the fait accompli they feared

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Penang’s plans to create islands totalling 1,800 hectares.

Published: 9:00am, 9 Jun 2021Updated: 8:57pm, 9 Jun 2021

Malaysia’s severe Covid-19 situation may be front and centre of public attention, but in the northern state of Penang, state administrators are contending with a separate headache as a debate against a multibillion-dollar island-building plan once again rears its head.

Environmentalists contend that the 4,500 acre blueprint for the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project, also known as BiodiverCity, will have a devastating impact on marine ecology and insist it is not necessary given vast tracts of land available elsewhere.

The critics also say that amid widespread work-from-home practices – spurred on by the Covid-19 pandemic – demand for office space is likely to diminish, thereby rendering commercial developments on the project white elephants.

The project comprises three islands and is situated to the south of Penang island, best known as a tourist haven with its sandy beaches, the historic commercial hub Georgetown and its varied cuisine.

The state of Penang comprises Penang island and a larger area on Peninsular Malaysia.

The PSR’s chief champion has been the ethnic Chinese-dominated Democratic Action Party (DAP) that governs Penang.

Leaders such as Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow say the project will create job opportunities, draw investment and, through a deal with developers, fund a new public transport network.