New Straits Times
Release : January 30, 2003

IPOH, Wed - Reclamation work for the proposed 162ha "resort island" at Teluk Muroh near Lumut will begin soon, as the Department of Environment has approved the environmental impact assessment report.

Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali said the developer of the Marina Sanctuary Resort today approached the State Government for permission to begin the reclamation work.

The reclamation work on the RM 700 million project would be carried out several hundred metres off the coast near Teluk Batik.

"The State Government, through the State Planning Committee, will monitor the project," he said.

The resort island would have a water theme park, and would be developed along the concept of "Venice of Perak".

"The State Government will also provide an allocation to build public amenities such as hospital, police station fire and rescue department and surau," Tajol Rosli said after chairing the State Planning Committe today.

The resort, which is expected to be fully developed in 15 years will be connected to the mainland by a 400 metre bridge.

However, Tajol Rosli said several fishermen from the fishing villages around Teluk Muroh would be affected by the project, as they would have to pass through the area to enter deeper waters.

The developer has been instructed to meet the fishermen and resolve the issue.