Johor fishermen against petrochemical project in Sungei Pulai

The Star 26 Aug 09;

JOHOR BARU: Fishermen from Tanjung Kupang in Pontian are appealing to the state to intervene and stop the clearing of mangrove swamps to make way for a petrochemical project.

A group of about 450 gathered outside the old state administrative centre in Bukit Timbalan to hand over a 20-page memorandum to Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman.

Abdul Ghani’s senior private secretary Mohd Haffiz Ahmad accepted the memorandum on his behalf, at the building entrance around 11.30am yesterday.

Action committee chairman Fuad Ehsak said the livelihood of the fishermen had already been affected since a part of the mangrove swamp was cleared in June.

“The fishermen have already lost 70% of their livelihood since the development of Tanjung Pelepas Port (PTP).

“Besides, the construction of the petrochemical project will cause pollution and affect our health too,” he said, adding that the affected fishermen were from 11 villages in the area.

He said the project, to be carried out near Sungai Pulai, would destroy 913ha of mangrove forest, part of it within the Ramsar (Wetland of Global Importance) site.

He added that they hoped the Mentri Besar would respond to their request within 10 days or they would consider lodging police reports.

Fisherman Abdul Shukor Osman, 46, said he used to make about RM1,300 a month but his income had gradually declined since the construction of PTP about 10 years ago.

“Now, I can earn only about RM700 a month and find it hard to cope,” said the father of nine.

Another fisherman, Ab Kadir Awang Chik, 65, said several fishermen had taken up additional jobs to supplement their income.

“Some of them have also moved to other places to look for jobs,” he said.

Jang Ujur, 52, said health was his main concern, adding that he did not want his family and other villagers to be affected.