Perak state housing and local government committee chairman Sandrea Ng told FMT that feedback is still being received under a publicity and public participation programme, which started on May 13 and was initially slated to end on June 12.

“Taking into consideration that locals were not aware of the plan, the programme was extended for almost four weeks until July 9.

“A bilingual briefing session was also conducted a few days ago for the locals and a few NGOs, including Jawatankuasa Kemajuan Pembangunan Pulau Pangkor (JKPPP),” she said.

It was reported on Saturday that JKPPP, an NGO representing fishermen and the local community, had objected to the plan, saying the proposal does not benefit the local population.

“We appreciate the government’s efforts to bring development to Pulau Pangkor for the future of its residents, but the proposal in the recently published document will not benefit the local population.

“Instead, it jeopardises their future and erases the identity of Pulau Pangkor,” it said in a statement.

The NGO urged the federal and state governments to reconsider the plan and involve the residents in all future talks to avoid “chaotic developments like this”.

It said the 7.7ha reclamation plan, a significant part of the proposal, would also lead to the mass displacement of residents from their homes.

“The purpose of this is to create new open land for the development of shopping centres, duty-free zones, and other unsustainable tourist attractions, which risk becoming white elephant projects.

“These areas, which have long been home to native Pangkor residents, are also the centre of local fishing and seafood processing. Such development will not provide any sustainable benefit to residents,” it said.