The natural resources, environment and climate change minister said it was because it involved a thorough evaluation process by the environment department.

He added that the EIA submitted by the state government in January had to go through several revisions.

“We would not have requested for several revisions if the EIA evaluation process was not strict,” he said.

“What I am saying is that (the environment department’s) evaluation process is quite thorough,” he told reporters after an event here.

He said that he expected the evaluation to be completed in a few months’ time.

He was responding to a question about the unity government’s stance on mega-reclamation projects, proposed by several states, which may have an adverse impact on the environment.

PSI aims to raise 4,500 acres of land by reclaiming three islands south of Penang. The project has yet to begin pending federal regulatory approvals.

The RM10 billion reclamation project covers 17sq km and involves the development of three man-made islands in the waters off the coast of Permatang Damar Laut, near Bayan Lepas. It was mooted as a funding module for the RM46 billion Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP).

The controversial project is being opposed by fishermen who allege that the three-island project will destroy their livelihood, and also by local NGOs who claim that the project will severely damage the marine ecosystem of the southern part of the island.

Apart from Penang, the Melaka and Kedah state governments have proposed the Melaka Gateway and Widad@Langkasuka projects, respectively, which involve the construction of artificial islands.