On Tue, Nov 22, 2011 at 10:44 AM, james foong wrote:
guys check ut this theme park and note david tan's article, the weekling he is gave a totally warped impression.
PBA up to no good, a letter from CAP in the star today as well.
The whole landscape has changed, no need EIA ?? MPPP wake up la please how can you let them con you. They are developers as well this company.
Bottomline make money again
Its amazing check out the web site a development like this no need EIA report David Tan what are you saying ?? davidtan@thestar.com.my. Look at the companys website http://www.escapepenang.com/
Tuesday November 22, 2011
Scrap the 'Escape' park
PENANG Island is facing environmental rape as it faces widespread damage because of uncontrolled development, resulting in barren hill slopes and erosion taking place at hillsides that are being developed.
The rapid development in Penang has brought a toll to the island's environment, and disdain to residents who have to face more environmental deterioration and traffic congestion.
The latest development is the proposed Escape Theme Park Resort near the Teluk Bahang Forest Reserve, Penang National Park and Teluk Bahang Dam. The 12.14ha land for the development of the theme park belongs to the Penang Water Corporation and has been leased out to Sim Leisure Consultants.
What astonishes us is the rationale for having this theme park, which among other things aims to create a water park inside the forest with wave pools, slides, river and play area.
Why do we need this man-made park when the natural environment is out there for nature lovers and adventure seekers? Why do we need to turn the forest into a "carnival-like attraction"?
Are tourists flocking to Penang to visit theme parks or is it our tropical rainforest, beaches, cultural heritage and food that are luring both domestic and foreign tourists?
The theme park is acclaimed to be a prototype project. Whether it will be a model or mockery remains to be seen, but in the process our natural environment should not become the victim.
According to news reports, the project developer claimed that the Penang Department of Environment had declared the project to be eco-friendly and an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report need not be done.
In view of the proximity of the proposed theme park to three environmentally sensitive areas and water catchments, this project warrants an EIA to be done, although it is not required under the EIA Order.
The EIA is necessary for the public to make an informed decision on whether the project will have an impact on the environment and water resources.
Neither do we have a comprehensive traffic impact assessment to gauge how this project would affect the overall traffic condition in Penang. The answer to traffic congestion in this part of the island is not to build more roads or widen the existing road as doing so will further weigh down the already deteriorating environment here.
We need more effective mechanisms to plan, monitor and control development to curb environmental degradation in Penang. The people of Penang should be consulted on matters of development such as this theme park.
In view of the Penang government's Competency, Accountability and Transparency policy, this public participation mechanism is paramount. The Penang government should walk its talk and listen to the people.
The Consumers' Association of Penang and Sahabat Alam Malaysia are not in favour of the Escape Theme Park Resort project in Teluk Bahang. The State and Penang Water Corporation should not be leasing out our natural heritage for the sake of economic gains from tourism.
CAP and SAM urge the state government to scrap this project and take measures to restrict development here, to protect and regenerate the natural environment.
S.M. MOHAMED IDRIS
President,
Consumers' Association of Penang and
Sahabat Alam Malaysia.
=================================
Monday November 21, 2011
Concern over theme park site
By DAVID TAN
davidtan@thestar.com.my
GEORGE TOWN: The location of the proposed RM120mil Escape Theme Park Resort is causing worries to environmentalists as it is near three greenery zones – the Teluk Bahang Forest Reserve, Penang National Park and the Teluk Bahang Dam.
Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) advisor Kanda Kumar said photographs of the project site appeared to show that the theme park was located below a foothill and close to the dam, forest reserve and the national park.
The park resort is located on a 17ha site in Teluk Bahang.
"So far, it is not clear if a proper environmental impact assessment (EIA) report has been done to ensure that the project will not cause soil erosion or damage the dam, the forest reserve and the national park.
"Such an EIA report should have been made public before the project was awarded and approved," he said.
The first phase of the Escape Theme Park, to be located on a 6.8ha site, is scheduled to start work soon and expected to be completed in 2013.
The theme park, when fully completed in six years, is claimed to be able to generate economic benefits for some 6,000 people involved in the services industry and supply chain business.
The Escape Theme Park is being developed by Sim Leisure Consultant Sdn Bhd.
Penang Institute (formerly Socio-Eoconomic Research Institute) senior research fellow Datuk Dr Goh Ban Lee said the theme park should not be too close to the dam, reserve park and national park.
"A theme park in Teluk Bahang will bring more cars to the island, which is already facing traffic congestion problems.
"A good location for a theme park is Seberang Prai, which will boost tourism for the mainland," he said.
Sim Leisure Consultant director of finance P.H. Chang said the Penang Department of Environment had declared the project to be eco-friendly.
"As such, it is does not need an EIA report," he claimed.
Sim Leisure managing director Sim Choo Kheng said there would be five main components to the park, comprising three phases that would take six years to complete.
This will involve the development of a water theme park, fun hotels, activity park, animal farm and jungle adventure.
"This will be a prototype project.
"There will be minimal impact on the environment and we will try to use as much recycled material as possible," Sim said.
In October last year, the company signed a 60-year agreement with thePenang Water Supply Corporation (PBA) Sdn Bhd to lease the 17ha land located downstream of the Teluk Bahang Dam.
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