PANTAI ESEN in Permatang Damar Laut, Batu Maung has seen no recurrence of the ‘algae bloom’ or significant algae increase since mid-December last year, according to Penang Infrastructure, Transport, and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari.
Zairil emphasised that while the algae situation appears to be under control, the state government remains proactive.
“The state government through related agencies have been conducting manual cleaning of the algae when it appears.
“We have also appointed an environmental consultant in which sampling is currently in progress and near completion.
“The next steps involve sample analysis and hydraulic modelling, which are expected to take approximately two months,” said Zairil when contacted today.
Previously, Penang Infrastructure Corporation Sdn Bhd (PIC) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Farizan Darus said the Department of Environment (DoE) and the Department of Fisheries (DoF) had taken samples from the affected areas for testing and were awaiting the results on the cause of the pollution.
“Based on initial results from our sample (obtained from a private laboratory), the muddy sludge at Pantai Esen was found to be algae. We are still identifying the source (of the algae).
“There are claims that it was from reclamation works. If the claims are true, then a similar phenomenon would also happen at our silt curtain.
“But such was not the case. And there is no scientific proof to link the reclamation works with what happened there,” he said.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar