The Penang government will continue with the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project as there is no court injunction preventing the development from proceeding, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said.
Chow said the state government remained legally entitled to carry on with the reclamation works as all necessary approvals had been obtained.
“If there were an injunction, of course the state government would not be able to continue the works,” he said.
“However, no injunction has been issued, and the state government will continue implementing the project in accordance with the approvals that have been obtained.”
Chow was responding to questions on a recent statement by a non-governmental organisation following the Court of Appeal’s decision to dismiss an appeal filed by the group and several other parties challenging the PSR project.
He said all parties should respect the court’s ruling and refrain from disputing the judgment.
According to Chow, any party dissatisfied with the Court of Appeal’s decision has the option of pursuing the matter through the appropriate legal channels by appealing to a higher court.
“If there are parties who are unhappy with the Court of Appeal’s decision, the proper avenue is to bring the matter before a higher court,” he said.
“The fact is that the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal. That is the court’s decision.”
Chow added that while the public may interpret the ruling in different ways, the legal position remains clear that the appeal against the PSR project had been dismissed.
The PSR project, which involves the reclamation of three artificial islands off the southern coast of Penang Island, is the state government’s flagship development initiative aimed at financing the Penang Transport Master Plan and supporting long-term economic growth. The project has faced legal challenges and opposition from environmental groups and fishing communities concerned about its environmental and socio-economic impact.
