SECTION 1: BASIC DETAILS

i) Petition Champion/Lead: REEF CHECK MALAYSIA

As a member of the MALAYSIAN CSO-SDG ALLIANCE, Reef Check Malaysia is also inviting members of the Alliance to support this petition (besides members of the public). (The Alliance is an informal network of civil society organisations, non-profit organisations, academic institutions and think tanks, and a member of the National SDG Steering Committee.)

ii) What are we opposing: We are OPPOSING THE PROPOSED NEW TIOMAN AIRPORT (CODE 4C) DEVELOPMENT PROJECT at the island of Tioman, Pahang - Malaysia.

 

SECTION 2: BACKGROUND

• A plan to build a new airport near the western coast of Tioman first emerged in 2003. Construction was scheduled to commence in 2004, on reclaimed land off the coast of the village of Kampung Paya. But in 2009, then-transport minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat called off the project. Potential environmental impacts, in particular damage to coral reefs and marine life were key factors in his decision. The airport plan had also triggered strong protests in Kampung Paya and two neighbouring villages: Kampung Genting and Kampung Mukut.
• The airport plan re-emerged in June 2018. Vincent Tan, executive chairman of the Berjaya Group (also referred to as Berjaya Corporation Berhad), a major Malaysian conglomerate with many interests including tourist resorts, announced that he would submit a proposal to build a new airport in Tioman, in order to boost tourism. The company’s portfolio includes Berjaya Tourism Resort, a few kilometers north of the proposed airport site. Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), the company managing most of Malaysia’s airports, cautioned that building a new airport on Tioman raised environmental concerns. MAHB director Badlisham Ghazali recalled that the previous plan for a new airport was not approved because construction would “spoil the beauty” of the island. Reef Check Malaysia, the local chapter of a global non-government organization (NGO) working to raise awareness of the importance of and threats to coral reefs, warned against the development. Instead, it was suggested that the airport should be built in Mersing, which was already a departure point for ferries to offshore islands including Tioman. General Manager Julian Hyde said: “The (Tioman) airport would have inevitably meant further development of resorts and infrastructure, which could only cause additional damage to the island’s fragile ecosystems, both on land and underwater.”
• On 21st October 2018 about 80 people, comprising villagers, NGO members, divers and tourism resort operators, staged a protest against a new airport. The protest was led by Kampung Genting village chief Azman Awang Mohd. Kampung Genting is the gateway to the island, with passenger boats arriving at the jetty. Reef Check Malaysia representative Alvin Chelliah said that, as there was no suitable land available, land reclamation would be required to build the airport, which would damage the environment. Chelliah drew attention to the irreversible damage that the airport would cause to the coral reefs, sea grass beds, shorelines and white sandy beaches. He also argued that, in order to cope with rising numbers of tourists, Tioman requires improvement of existing infrastructure, not a new airport. Water supply, electricity supply, waste treatment and disposal facilities are all inadequate. There are regular water shortages on the island and the incinerator is unable to accommodate the volumes of waste that are being generated, and cannot deal with some types of waste such as electrical waste. Tioman will not be able to cope with an increased influx of tourists without infrastructural improvements to accommodate the visitor load.
• In November 2018 Dato Sri Wan Rosdy bin Wan Ismail, Mentari Besar (First Minister) of the state of Pahang, said that state and federal governments will monitor construction of a new airport to ensure that Tioman’s environment is not affected. Tioman Island has been declared a marine park and he made assurances that at least seven government departments would ensure compliance with the established rules. The departments charged with this responsibility are: Department of Environment, local authorities, Department of Marine Park, Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID), PLANMalaysia, Water Regulatory Body (BKSA), State Secretary Office and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.
• The 2nd Schedule of the Environmental Impact Analysis (EIA) for the Tioman Airport Development Proposal has just been made public since its completion on the 7th of June 2023, and is now open for review and comments from the public. Refer to EIA REPORT
   

SECTION 3: PETITION DETAILS

1) Who is affected?

a) The proposal to build a new airport will have a negative impact on the Tioman Island at large, as it will reduce the biodiversity of the island and destroy its natural beauty. Impacts during construction are likely to cause damage to the island’s marine ecosystems in the short term. But the expanded airport would encourage mass tourism, which will lead to the demand for more new roads, infrastructure on and new resorts. Thus, causing increased impacts to both terrestrial and marine biodiversity.

b) This proposal will significantly affect the incomes and livelihood of local communities living and operating businesses in the area of the island in question. This is considered extensive as there are two villages in the vicinity of the proposed runway and terminal facilities.

*Refer to EIA REPORT​, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ATLAS​, PRESS ARTICLE

 

2) What is at stake?

a) Severe environmental impacts to the island and devastating loss of terrestrial and marine biodiversity.

b) Severe impacts to income and livelihoods of local communities in the vicinity.

*Refer to links mentioned above

 

3) Why is now the time to act?

a) The 2nd Schedule of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Tioman Airport Development Proposal has just been made public and is now open for review and comments from the public. (refer to link mentioned above)

b) Based on the EIA, the Project Proponent is TIOMAN INFRA SDN BHD. Our search with the Companies Commission of Malaysia has revealed that this company is a RM2.00 company, which causes more concern and red flags. (refer to SSM REPORT

c) We need immediate attention and action as the proposal that was rejected in 2003 due to its significant adverse environmental impacts has recently resurfaced

d) We need your support to submit this petition to Parliament, enabling further scrutiny and action to be taken. For example, convening an environmental taskforce or subcommittee to collaborate with civil society organisations (CSOs) and NGOs to further investigate the proposed plan, and to recommend law and policy reforms to guard against rejected proposals resurfacing again and again.

 

SECTION 4: PETITION ACTION

Please sign this petition, for us to PROPOSE:

• the opposition of this development proposal to the relevant government authorities;

• for the petition to be submitted to Members of Parliament to table this issue in Parliament and request for a taskforce or subcommittee to be convened; and

• for stricter legislation and mechanisms on future development proposals that do not have thorough Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) oversight and experts that involve the CSOs/NGOs and local community

Thank you, #savetioman