Kenyataan Media

Pejabat saya telah menerima laporan mengenai tindakan penguatkuasa atas struktur haram dan kegiatan sukan air di pantai Batu Ferringhi.

Laporan ini dibentangkan umum supaya rakyat Pulau Pinang dapat makluman yang penuh demi membolehkan mereka memainkan peranan untuk menjaga pantai kita yang merupakan khazanah dan aset bagi sektor pelancongan dan pembangunan mampan di negeri kita.

Segala kegiatan yang dilakukan atas pantai Batu Ferringhi harus dapat “tambah nilai” kepada khazanah ini dan bukan sebaliknya.

Kerajaan negeri akan ambil langkah yang sewajarnya demi menjaga, memulih dan melindung khazanah ini daripada diancam nilainya.

Kerajaan negeri tidak berhasrat menghapuskan pengusaha-pengusaha di Batu Ferringhi tetapi ingin mengawal kegiatan supaya kita dapat memulihkan sinaran kepada pantai Batu Ferringhi.

Akhirnya kalau kita berjaya dalam usaha ini, sektor pelancongan khususnya di Batu Ferringhi akan dapat menjanakan peluang perniagaan yang lebih baik kepada semua.

Chow Kon Yeow
2-3-2009

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 REPORT ON ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES AND ACTIVITIES ON FORESHORE LAND ( BEACH ) OF BATU FERRINGHI  

In pursuant to Section 425 (1)(a) of the National Land Code which reads:-

” Sesiapa saja, tanpa kuasa yang sah disisi undang-undang :-

(a)    menduduki, atau membina apa-apa bangunan di atas mana-mana Tanah Kerajaan, Tanah Rizab atau Perlombongan,

adalah melakukan satu kesalahan, dan boleh, jika disabitkan, dikenakan DENDA tidak melebihi SEPULUH RIBU RINGGIT, atau PENJARA untuk satu tempoh yang tidak melebihi satu tahun atau kedua-duanya sekali”.

1.         BACKGROUND INFORMATION

1.1      All foreshore land which includes the beach belongs to the State Authority and is administered by the respective Land Office. In this instant, the foreshore along Batu Ferringhi beach comes under the jurisdiction of the North-east District Land Office.

 1.2      In exercising the powers contained therein under Section 425(1)(a) of the National Land Code, the North-east District Land Office has on the 16 th of February 2009 issued 56 Notices ( Notis Pemberitahuan ) to the owners of the illegal structures that were erected on the foreshore. These illegal structures were erected without the consent of the State Authority and therefore there are considered as trespassers.

 1.3      These illegal structure owners are given until 1 st of March 2009 to demolish or move the illegal structures by themselves.

 1.4      Some of the affected persons have appealed to the Chief Minister to allow them to stay on until the government requires the land for development whilst others have appealed for at least 6 months to vacate the area.

 1.5      The owners have on 23 February 2009 held a press conference to appeal to the State Government to allow them to continue to do business on the foreshore as it is their only means of income.

2.         RATIONALE BEHIND THE ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS

2.1 The illegal structures were constructed without due considerations and respect of the law. The structures do not comply to health, safety and environment aspects and obstruct the full enjoyment of the public at large.

2.2      The State Government and the Council have received several complaints from the hoteliers, tourists ( even from abroad ), visitors and Penangites of these illegal structures and activities in respect of safety, hygience, environmental pollutions, cleanliness, harassment and intimidation and so forth.

2.3      The message was clear for the State Government and the Council to act fast before the situation is out of control and has an adversed   affect on the tourism industry in Penang.

3.         PLAN OF ACTIONS

3.1            For a start, the Council will assist Land Office to remove all scraps, abandoned sea-scooters, water sports gears, unused tents/canopies/ sheds and unoccupied sheds/structures.

3.2            The Council will then placed new rubbish bins in strategic lacations to instill civic consciousness among beach users and enforce anti-littering rules.

3.3            The Council will then involve the public for a gotong royong project to clean-up the beach in Batu Ferringhi ( and to extend to Tanjung Bunga later on ).

3.4            Having done with cleanliness, the Land Office and Council will next move on to control and regulate beach and sea activities which include banning horse-riding, quad bikes and all motorized vehicles along the beach. The Land Office will need to put up sign boards to prohibit these activities and the enforcement can be assisted by the Council. The Council will enforce the Water Jet-ski By-law and all operators must adhere to all safety features.

3.5            With the cleanliness and safety aspects tackled, the Land Office and the Council can then proceed to identify suitable location to be zoned for the respective uses. From thereon, all activities on the beach and sea must be regulated, enforced and penalized by both Land Office and Council in order to achieve sustainability and for the betterment of beach users in particular and tourism industry in general.

3.6            The Council will form a Taskforce comprising of hoteliers, approved operators, tour agents, police, marine police, Jabatan Laut, Environment Department, JPS, Land Office and JKR, with the Council as Secretariat. If necessary, 2 councillors, State Assemblyman and MP of the area can also join in.