A historic fishing pier on Pangkor Island, inMalaysia, could become a £150 million coastal attraction for visitors.
The region has been utilized by nearby fishermen for hundreds of years, yet the authorities have different intentions for the land, even though residents have expressed worries.
A government-associated company in Perak, SSI, along with the local council and Plan Malaysia—part of the Ministry of Housing and Local Government—are suggesting the removal of all jetties on Pangkor Island.
The scheme, the Rancangan Kawasan Khas Pulau Pangkor (RKK), includes the removal of 27 piers and the residents living there, as reported.The Fourth.
Instead, a large-scale tourist harbor could be constructed at a cost of RM800,000,000 (£149,880,000).
Community members were not informed about the potential changes and only became aware when they attempted to renew their lease for the space.
Once a location where fishermen delivered local seafood, it might now be transformed into a walkway, retail stores, and additional developments.
One local, Yvonne Beh, stated to the Malaysian-based investigative journalism news outlet, ‘No one interviewed us, no one carried out any survey to grasp our needs, and they just came up with plans out of nowhere.’
“Where are all these people headed?” she inquired.
Several others believe they have not been adequately involved in the project, including its effects on them individually and the local region.
Another outlet, Malaysiakini, emphasized that Pangkor Island is a key provider of ikan bilis mata biru, also referred to as dried anchovies, which are utilized in nasi lemak – a dish consisting of rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaf.
Residents have expressed worries that should the plans proceed, the industry and availability of anchovies might be at risk.
The community has had differing opinions about the project for a while.
In 2024, the Pangkor Island Development Committee concluded that the RKK plans would not serve the local community, Free Malaysia Today reported at the time.
Its message stated: “While we endorse the government’s initiatives to promote development on Pangkor Island, the suggestions outlined in the recently released Pangkor Island RKK document will not benefit the local community and could impact their future.”
This will simultaneously erase the identity of this island, which is the pride of Pangkor’s natives.
The committee also expressed concerns that the newly suggested tourist attractions would be “entirely unsustainable and could turn into ‘white elephant’ projects.”
Many advancements have not proven to be major successes in the past.
The Teluk Dalam Resort first welcomed guests in 1995 and ceased operations two decades later in 2015. It has remained abandoned ever since.
On the island, Pangkor Airport was established in 1993 but ceased operations in 2014.
It subsequently reopened in 2022 and was open for only five months before closing again.
The ecological effects might be significant for the region as well — the island is among the most biologically rich areas in Malaysia and hosts a variety of wildlife, plants, and animal species.
As per the report, the proposals involved reclassifying a permanent forest reserve area on the island.
The statement added: ‘The federal and state governments must not ruin the natural scenery merely to transform Pangkor Island into a standard tourist destination.’
In 2024, Manjung municipal councilspoke about the plans and explained their view that it would ‘boost job opportunities and economic assets, particularly within the tourism industry’ as well as ‘enhance the environmental quality and the visual appeal of Pangkor Island’.
It focused on eco-friendly tourism and enhancements to the local facilities.
The report also refuted assertions that any forest areas would be affected by the project, and instead stated, ‘This RKK highlights the protection of forest reserves, with no development taking place within these areas’.
A further discussion with community members has been planned, and the council states that locals have been engaged and informed throughout the procedure.
The Daily Mail sought input from Plan Malaysia, SSI, and the local council.
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