GEORGE TOWN: A fresh submission of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project will be submitted by March next year said Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
He said the EIA would be considered a fresh submission with new data and updated information.
"At the moment, we are collecting and updating data from the community, along with collecting data on social impact.
"This is so that consultants can then analyse and put up appropriate proposals.
"The EIA will be submitted no later than March next year, followed by a public display for a month before the Environment Department evaluates the submission and makes a decision.
Earlier, the EIA for the PSR was rejected by the Federal government and it was subsequently reported that the SRS with the state government were in the process of submitting the EIA anew.
Chow said as the EIA had not been approved, the project could not be implemented.
"We were very close to making the tenders but all these had to be stopped for the time being.
"But anyhow, the state government and our partner SRS Consortium (SRS) are still dedicated to the project and we assure that the project will not start without approval.
He said in the PSR, they were looking at engagement sessions not only with the community, but also with industrial leaders to see the needs of the industries.
"These will become open opportunities to investors, especially since many investors expressed interest in the land opportunities.
"But in this case, we will be prepared to adhere to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors as well.
Chow said in the PSR project, the state aims for the islands to be carbon free islands.
"This is an important agenda in the world now. Many countries are looking at ESG factors before they invest and they are looking for places complying with these principles.
"If we do not meet these factors, they will not come. As such, in moving forward, we need to prioritise our horizons."