GEORGE TOWN (Oct 12): The Penang state government is finalising a compensation package for fishermen affected by the implementation of the mega Penang South Reclamation (PSR) project.

State Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the Fishermen Taskforce, chaired by Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman is also refining initiatives, mitigation steps and also the implementation mechanism of the Social Impact Management Plan (SIMP).

“The state government will take all the views and feedback from fishermen seriously,” he said when answering a supplementary question from Goh Choon Aik (PH-Bukit Tambun) at the Penang State Legislative Assembly Penang here today.

Zairil Khir who is also Tanjung Bungah assemblyman said under SIMP for PSR, the state is finalising various ex-gratia packages and a monthly allowance for the affected fishermen.

He said the state government was also in the midst of studying empowerment packages that would benefit fishermen in the area by building a new fishermen’s jetty, a fishermen’s cooperative as well as providing tuition schemes and education for their children.

“We are also planning to provide training schemes for fishermen and their children, employment opportunities and give them priority for the registration of affordable housing to help fishermen who have yet to own a house,” he said.

Zairil Khir said the state government, through relevant offices and agencies, is gathering more detailed information to draw up the packages to meet the needs of the fishermen.

He said at the moment, the PSR project had obtained all the necessary approvals from the federal government.