Chow: Penang seeking DoE input before deciding on Jelutong landfill rehabilitation project

 

GEORGE TOWN, June 9 — The Penang government has met the Department of Environment (DoE) to better understand the environmental impact assessment (EIA) considerations for the proposed Jelutong landfill rehabilitation and Karpal Singh Drive reclamation project, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said today.

He said the discussion with the DoE is part of an ongoing process before any decision is made on the project.

“We have met with the Department of Environment to understand the considerations regarding the EIA application for the project site. This process is still ongoing,” he told reporters after delivering his keynote address at the Penang Career Discovery Day x Penang HR Forward Forum 2026 here.

Chow said the state government’s decision-making process must be guided by verified information and proper procedures.

“We know there are NGOs that are impatient and have made various allegations against the state government,” he said.

“But I always stress that the decision-making process must be preceded by proper consideration of accurate information,” he added.

He said the state government must follow the proper process as any decision would have implications, particularly financial ones.

Recently, non-governmental organisation Protect Karpal questioned whether the developer of the Jelutong Landfill Joint Development Agreement (JDA) was receiving “exceptional accommodations”.

The group raised concerns over repeated extensions of time (EOT), revisions to payment structures and the scale of the proposed coastal reclamation plan.

It also questioned whether financial restructuring and continued extensions were justified despite repeated EIA rejections and delays in the commencement of the project.

Chow said the DoE has accepted another EIA application submitted by the developer.

“The state environment exco met with the DoE yesterday and he will present what was discussed to the state exco tomorrow,” he said.