Explain latest extension for landfill project developer, Penang govt told

The Penang government is facing scrutiny over an extension granted to the developer of the Jelutong landfill project. A residents’ group has demanded an explanation from the state government regarding the reasons behind granting additional time to PLB Engineering Bhd to obtain an environmental impact assessment (EIA) approval. The state government announced that PLB was given until October 18 to meet the necessary conditions.

However, the Protect Karpal Singh Drive Action Committee is concerned that this extension seems to contradict a June assurance from Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow that there would be no further extensions if PLB fails to secure the EIA approval by February 26. The chairman of the committee, Dr K Ganesh, expressed worries that such a change in promise could lead voters to question the credibility of future commitments.

The RM1 billion project aims to rehabilitate the old Jelutong landfill and reclaim 28.3ha of coastal land adjacent to Karpal Singh Drive. Despite repeated rejections, PLB has applied for the extension of time during the August 5 state executive council meeting, as they have been unable to fulfill the EIA requirements for the project.

The environment department has rejected the EIA proposal five times. The reclaimed land is intended to sort and recycle waste from the landfill before it undergoes cleanup and development. Ganesh has urged the government to publish the relevant documents, clarify the perceived special treatment, and uphold the earlier promise. If PLB fails to meet the deadline on October 18, he called for the termination of the joint development agreement. PLB Engineering has been contacted for a response.