He said a high-powered group from the ministry and experts in water studies would sit down to come up with the new and improved Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Detailed Environment Impact Assessment (DEIA) requirements.
Wan Junaidi said once the new EIA and DEIA were formulated, they would be sent to the Cabinet, National Land Council (MTN) and National Physical Development Council (MPFN).
The MTN is chaired by a federal minister and the MPFN is chaired by the prime minister.
“Once they are approved by them, then the new EIA and DEIA requirements will then take effect over the whole country, including Penang.
“Hence, I would like to remind Penang to not carry out the projects at this time until the new system is implemented,” he said in a statement today.
Junaidi said Penang’s case, in particular, was unique as its reclamation plans were about to change the entire geography of the island.
“Penang’s proposal is unique and sensitive as it is about to change the total coastline and possibly affect its coastline.”
According to the US Environment Protection Agency, a EIA is a study of possible effects of a proposed development.
A DEIA, according to the ministry, is a more specific version of the EIA, where land use, development plans and existing guidelines are looked into. An environmental management plan, too, might be required.
Wan Junaidi said the present-day EIA and DEIA focused on studying just the environment, but not so much on other factors.
“The current EIA and DEIA is not inclusive as they only focus on environmental protection, leaving out other elements which are also important.
“This has in turn caused the environment to deteriorate,” he said today.
The Penang government has proposed to reclaim three islands to the south of the island to help finance the much debated public transport system and new roads to alleviate traffic.
The state government had said it had no choice but to reclaim the islands as a form of financing for the RM46 billion Penang Transport Master Plan.
The state says this came after pleas to the federal government to build a LRT system on the island fell on deaf ears.
Under the Penang Southern Reclamation (PSR) project, three man-made islands will be created off Permatang Damar Laut. This will involve 1,659ha.
Work on the islands is expected to begin in 2018.
Besides the three islands, land is also being reclaimed off the famous Gurney Drive. This project was awarded by the previous BN government and work is already proceeding.
The waterfront park — stretching 5km eastward from the foreshore — will be created on reclaimed land by Tanjung Pinang Development Sdn Bhd (TPD).
It will feature a seaside retail food and beverage area, water gardens, a man-made beach and a coastal grove.
It was also reported that a mall, two hotels, a business centre and wellness suites will be built on the site. An eight-lane highway will be built across the reclaimed area.
TPD is reclaiming an additional 52ha along Gurney Drive for the Penang government as per its concession agreement for reclaiming land for Seri Tanjung Pinang 2.
Wan Junaidi said a pilot study on Penang’s reclamation works will be carried out by his ministry. The results will be used as a benchmark for future reclamation projects in the country.
He said a team, led by the ministry’s deputy secretary-general (environment) Dr Azimuddin Bahari, will study closely all Penang reclamation projects.
Wan Junaidi said the team will include directors and directors-general of the Environment Department, National Hydraulic Research Institute, Forestry Department and the National Waterparks Department.
Azimuddin, Wan Junaidi said, will also play a supervisory role in studying all of Penang’s reclamation projects.
“The legal adviser of the ministry will also be part of the committee so that legal and constitutional matters can be taken into account, especially in development matters,” Wan Junaidi said.