Tanjung Bungah residents want answers on Sore Thumb park proposal

Tanjung Bungah residents are demanding answers from the Penang government regarding their proposal for a coastal nature park in the Sore Thumb area. The residents, represented by the Tanjung Bungah Residents Association, presented a detailed plan for the park on February 10th, but have yet to receive an official decision despite numerous attempts to engage with the government.

Zulfikar Abdul Aziz, the association's chairman, expressed frustration that they have been persistently asking for more than just meetings and promises.

The Sore Thumb coastal site, situated next to a public beach between George Town and Batu Ferringhi, was designated as a green lung by the Penang government in 2023. A development project has already been approved for Lot 4658 adjacent to the area, and the developer was mandated to build a public park before proceeding. However, the residents want to preserve the trees, coastline, and beach instead of a concrete-heavy public park.

In their request, the residents want the government to make a decision by September 20th on whether it agrees with their proposal and whether the Sore Thumb area, public beach, and coastline will be preserved. They also seek a commitment that residents will participate in the final design and that no irreversible clearing, major construction, or coastline alterations will occur during the park plan's development.

The dispute has been ongoing since 2022, when residents met with state executive councillor Zairil Khir Johari about the proposed development and the future of Sore Thumb. The developer was also required to consult with residents during the process. However, residents claim they were not personally notified or given a fair opportunity to comment before approval was granted in March of the same year.

They submitted their proposal in December, supported by environmental groups, residents' associations, and civil society organizations. Zulfikar indicated that they desire a clear decision from the state and a timeline for turning the area into a coastal nature park. He did not specify the course of action should their appeal not be considered.