KUALA LUMPUR, March 25 — Fishermen in Johor Baru and Pontian may experience a 50-per cent drop in income as a result of reclamation works for the Forest City and Tanjung Piai Maritime Industrial Park projects, Parliament was told today.
In a written reply to Gelang Patah MP Lim Kit Siang yesterday, the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry said that the reclamation will affect 1,023 fishermen of the state’s registered 6,354 fishermen, who earn an average of RM 2,660.83.
“Following the Forest City and Tanjung Piai Industrial Park sea reclamation activities, it is estimated that the income of fishermen will reduce by 50 per cent because they are forced to fish at further areas,” the ministry said.
Fishermen from 14 fishing bases in the Johor Baru district and 428 from 10 fishing bases in Pontian are set to be affected.
Lim had asked the ministry to state the average earnings of fishermen in Johor according to districts and the estimated loss in earnings by those affected by the sea reclamation activities to make way for the two projects.
The Forest City project, which involves major land reclamation work and aims to build luxury homes on man-made islands off southern Johor, reportedly sparked environmental concerns and fears among local fishermen that their livelihood may be affected.
The Star reported last January that the property project has been allowed to continue since being suspended for about six months after the size of the project was scaled down by at least 30 per cent to 1,368.05ha.
The Forest City project was suspended after Singapore reportedly expressed concern on its potential environmental impact and trans-boundary issues.
Johor monarch Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar later defended the Forest City property project by saying the investment will spur the economy of the state neighbouring Singapore.
