CJMY
A row brews along Karpal Singh Drive, Penang’s cherished seaside gem.
Residents, united as ProtectKarpal, demand Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow halt a 70-acre coastal reclamation tied to the Jelutong Landfill cleanup.
They argue it’s a reckless assault on nature and their lives. This isn’t just about saving a promenade—it’s a stand for sanity against a plan that reeks of folly.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. The reclamation threatens Middle Bank, a marine haven teeming with life.
Scientists warn it’ll shred habitats, clog sediment flows, and spark ecological chaos.
Worse, sticking recycling machines on reclaimed land promises toxic fumes, dust, and noise—a grim gift for families living nearby.
ProtectKarpal insists there’s a smarter way, and they’ve got the evidence to prove it.
Why Karpal Singh Drive deserves better
ProtectKarpal’s case is rock-solid. The developer’s own report admits Phase 1 can fit within the existing 90-acre Jelutong Landfill site.
So why grab 70 more acres from the sea?
A phased approach, stretched over 5-10 years, could process waste without this land grab. No need to choke the coast with concrete.
Look abroad—Tel Aviv’s Hiriya Landfill morphed from a waste heap into a green park. It didn’t need reclamation, just ingenuity.
Hong Kong and Europe use modular tech to recycle on-site. Poland’s Łomianki site, once a toxic mess, now boasts shops—all without drowning marine life.
These wins scream one truth: reclamation here is overkill.
The group slams the plan’s footprint as unjustified. Geogrids can stabilise the current landfill for machinery.
Phased digging and vertical systems can handle the load. Yet, the developer pushes for more, risking Penang’s ecological soul. ProtectKarpal calls it lazy—a shortcut that scars.
Can Karpal Singh Drive lead green change?
The landfill’s a relic—decades old, begging for a fix. ProtectKarpal agrees it must go but rejects this clumsy cure.
They urge a review with experts—geotechs, engineers, scientists—plus locals who know Karpal Singh Drive best. Transparency is key.
Their vision? Gazette Middle Bank as a sanctuary. Shield it from ruin. Then, roll out modular recycling, monitored tight, within the landfill’s bounds.
It’s a long-tail fix: “Karpal Singh Drive sustainable future” could shine globally. Penang could lead, not lag.
History backs them. The promenade, named for a legal lion, draws joggers and dreamers. Web data shows it’s a hotspot—loved for its views and vibe.
Reclamation threatens that legacy. ProtectKarpal wants Chow to see sense: innovation trumps destruction.
Also, the cost isn’t just green—it’s human. Families dread industrial sprawl. A phased plan, they argue, keeps the community whole. It’s not pie-in-the-sky; it’s proven.
ProtectKarpal’s fight for Karpal Singh Drive is a clarion call.
The Jelutong Landfill needs healing, not a sea-stealing shortcut. Their push for phased, on-site solutions offers hope—a blueprint for progress.
The committee also urges all concerned citizens to:
- Submit feedback on the EIA report via the following link: https://shorturl.at/0YYBM
- Join Protect Karpal Singh Drive WhatsApp group to exchange ideas, stay informed, and take action via the following link: https://tinyurl.com/ProtectKarpal
Visit the website to get more information via this link: https://protect-middle-bank.pages.dev
Admin
Add comment