ALOR SETAR – The news of the withdrawal of a Dubai-based firm from the RM40 billion 99-island Langkasuka reclamation project off the coast of Langkawi island has been welcomed by environmental groups critical of the project.
The groups expressed their relief and hope for the project to never be revived.
Last week, global investment conglomerate Bin Zayed International Group of Companies (BZI) officially confirmed its withdrawal from the Langkasuka project, citing that the decision was made in 2022 to focus on more realistic and high-potential opportunities as they no longer see the value in the project.
BZI Managing Director Datuk Seri Shamir Kumar Nandy said the group opted out of the strategic collaboration with Widad Business Group, which was initially formed in 2021 to develop the mixed-development project, Widad@Langkasuka.
Meenakshi Raman, environmentalist and president of Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) said that she is relieved to hear about the firm’s withdrawal from the reclamation project, which SAM has opposed from the beginning.
SAM was one of the 25 NGOs that voiced their objections against the proposed 800.9ha project back in February 2021 through a letter submitted to Langkawi’s Land and District Office.
The groups cited the project’s impact on the marine ecosystem, the fisheries sector and the livelihood of the island’s fishermen community as reasons for their objection. Other groups that signed the letter were the Consumer Association of Penang (CAP), Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor (PSWS), Yayasan Aman Kedah, Friends of Langkawi Geopark (FLAG), Agora Society Malaysia dan KitaKitar.
Speaking to Scoop, Meenakshi stressed that the environmental and social impacts of such a large-scale reclamation project would have destroyed the environmentally sensitive ecosystems of the Langkawi island.
“We certainly hope that the project will be shelved forever and not be resurrected so that the marine ecosystem and natural beauty of the island can be preserved in perpetuity,” she said when contacted.
Echoing Meenakshi’s sentiment on the project is Shakila Zen, Persatuan Aktivis Sahabat Alam (Kuasa) media officer, who pointed out that no reclamation projects have ever benefited the marine ecosystem due to its severe impacts on the ecology and climate change.
Speaking to Scoop, Shakila also said that the project is unnecessary as major tourist spots like Langkawi are already struggling to woo tourists due to perceptions of costly goods and services.
She also opined that the project would be costly to the locals in the long run despite developers claiming to be eco-friendly and sustainable.
“This project should be shelved totally. Let’s learn from what happened in Penang after the island reclamation project (Silicon Island).
“The possibility of loss to the marine ecosystem is higher (should this project go on) and nothing can be done to restore (the ecosystem) after the project takes place,” Shakila warned.
Land reclamation is also a thorny issue in Penang with the ongoing Silicon Island reclamation project, which continues to be protested by local fishermen and residents who have complained about reduced catches and silt pollution.
Save or scratch the project? Consider environmental costs
The environmental and social costs of the reclamation project to local fishermen also top the concerns of the business community, with Kedah’s Malay Chamber of Commerce saying that this aspect needs to be taken into account by the Kedah government should the question arise on whether it should commit towards saving the project by roping in other investors, or just shelving it completely.
Its president Datuk Mohd Zayad Md Ismail told Scoop that if this aspect is not being looked into properly by the state government, it could spur rejections from potential investors should their reputations be tied with unsustainable projects.
Mohd Zayad also stressed that Langkawi, being a Unesco Global Geopark, has an ecosystem that needs to be protected at all costs.
“If this project goes against the principles of sustainability and sparks public protests, then maybe it should not proceed. he added. – December 1, 2024