The Department of Environment has issued a temporary stop work order on coastal land reclamation works for the massive tourism project off Tanjung Kupang in Johor, pending a detailed study, the New Straits Times reported today. State health and environment committee chairman Datuk Ayub Rahmat said any negotiations on lifting the suspension would be between the Forest City project joint developer, China’s Country Garden Holdings Co Ltd, and state-owned Kumpulan Prasanara Rakyat Johor. “The order came about a week ago and all land reclamiation work in the area has been suspended pending further studies on the environment effects of the project,” said Ayub. Yesterday, The Malaysian Insider reported that work on the project was in full swing despite the absence of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report and a call for intervention by Singapore. Earlier this month, The Edge Review reported of concerns in Singapore over the project, which would extend the Johor coast around the Second Link right up to the edge of the boundary separating Malaysia from Singapore. The reclamation works for the proposed 49-hectare Forest City tourist hub project began in early March and was to have been completed at the end of the year. The Singapore government had sent a formal request to Putrajaya for more information on the state’s coastal projects, specifically in the Straits of Johor. The project had also earned the ire of environmental activists who told The Malaysian Insider that the reclamation work would have an impact on the coastal eco-system and the livelihood of fishermen in the area. NST quoted Ayub as saying that the state government would monitor talks between developers and DOE. “We will wait for the department to complete their studies on the project, after which we will also ensure that all guidelines are met.” On concerns raised by the Singaporean government, Ayub told NST the state government valued the bilateral ties with its neighbour. “We will look into the issue of other trans-boundary effects because of the land reclamation works.” He said there was a preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the proposed Forest City project. “Normally, shoreline reclamation projects below 50ha in size, such as the proposed Forest City project, does not need a EIA report under the Environmental Quality (prescribed activities) (Environmental Impact Assessment) Order 1987. “However, as the project will have a 80-room hotel, increasing the area’s density, a preliminary EIA report was conducted and its findings submitted to the relevant authorities,” he said, as quoted by NST. The report said Country Garden Holdings, which has its international office in Johor Baru, had yet to respond to queries. A company search in February revealed that one of the directors of Country Garden Pacific View is Datuk Daing A. Malek Daing A. Rahaman, believed to be a long-time friend of the Sultan of Johor and a member of the council of the Royal Court of Advisers to the Sultan. Chinas Country Garden Holdings had undertaken its first project in Danga Bay, which covers 20ha of land – for which it paid RM900 million several years ago. – June 24, 2014.
Posted on: Tue, 24 Jun 2014 05:58:31 +0000
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