EIA for the Proposed Development of 3 Blocks of Staff Residences and Other Amenities on PT 313, Bandar Padang Mat Sirat, District of Langkawi, Kedah Darul Aman.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

I. Introduction to the Proposed Project

This Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report is prepared for the “Proposed Development of 3 Blocks of Staff Residences and Other Amenities on PT 313, Bandar Padang Mat Sirat, District of Langkawi, Kedah Darul Aman”. The proposed Project will be developed on a total acreage of 1.50 acre (0.61 ha) of approved alienated land. The whole area is owned and to be developed by Pusaka Menawan Sdn. Bhd. the development is strictly restricted to providing staff facilities for the redevelopment of Tanjung Sanctuary Langkawi (new Ritz Carlton Hotel). The Project Site is within Bandar Padang Mat Sirat and falls under the jurisdiction of Majlis Perbandaran Langkawi (MPL).

A Site Suitability Assessment (Penilaian Awal Tapak) has been submitted to the Department of Environment (DOE) Kedah on July 14th, 2013. The department has no objection to the proposed development via its letter dated 28th July 2013 [AS(LKW)(B)50/012/102/007 Jilid 37(16)].

The Project Site is located on a flat sandy area near river mouth of Sungai Melaka. It is located about 15 km from Kuah town and 2 km from Langkawi International Airport plying Jalan Kuala Muda. The Project Site is geographically located at:

Longitude Latitude 99 O 42’ 58.57”E 6O 21’ 24.13” N 99 O 43’ 1.28”E 6O 21’ 24.10” N 99 O 42’ 59.72”E 6O 21’ 21.88” N 99 O 43’ 2.27”E 6O 21’ 22.21” N

The general location of the Project is depicted in Figure A .

At present, the Project Site is a flat sandy soil dominated by shrubs and bushes. Current condition on site is depicted in Figure B .

The Proposed Project is a prescribed activity stipulated in the Environmental Quality (Prescribed Activities) (Environmental Impact Assessment) Order 1987 under item no. 17(a) (coastal resort facilities or hotels with more than 80 rooms) made under Section 34A of the Environmental Quality Act 1974.

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EIA for the Proposed Development of 3 Blocks of Staff Residences and Other Amenities on PT 313, Bandar Padang Mat Sirat, District of Langkawi, Kedah Darul Aman.

Based on the ‘Rancangan Tempatan Daerah Langkawi 2020’, the proposed Project Site lies under Blok Perancangan (BP) 10 – Kuala Teriang in BPK 10.2, whereby the area is designated for Commercial and Services.

The parties involved in this redevelopment are:-

i) Developer PUSAKA MENAWAN SDN. BHD. c/o Tanjung Sanctuary Langkawi P.O. Box 199 Jalan Pantai Kok, Teluk Nibung 07000 Langkawi, Kedah Darul Aman Tel: 04 – 952 0222; Fax: 04- 952 0333 Attn: Tn. Hj. Azmi Bin Abdul Ghani (Executive Director)

ii) Civil and Structural Engineer MEINHARDT () SDN. BHD. Suite 9.01-9.07, Level 9 AMODA, 22 Jalan Imbi 55100 Kuala Lumpur Tel: 03-2710 9488; Fax: 03-2710 9489 Attn.: Ir. Muhammad Sobri Bin Abd. Gani (Deputy Managing Director)

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EIA for the Proposed Development of 3 Blocks of Staff Residences and Other Amenities on PT 313, Bandar Padang Mat Sirat, District of Langkawi, Kedah Darul Aman.

Figure A: General Location of the Project Site

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EIA for the Proposed Development of 3 Blocks of Staff Residences and Other Amenities on PT 313, Bandar Padang Mat Sirat, District of Langkawi, Kedah Darul Aman.

Figure B: Current Situation of the Project Site

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EIA for the Proposed Development of 3 Blocks of Staff Residences and Other Amenities on PT 313, Bandar Padang Mat Sirat, District of Langkawi, Kedah Darul Aman.

iii) Mechanical and Electrical Engineer

MEINHARDT (MALAYSIA) SDN. BHD. Suite 9.01-9.07, Level 9 AMODA, 22 Jalan Imbi 55100 Kuala Lumpur Tel: 03-2710 9488; Fax: 03-2710 9489 Attn.: Ir. Peter Lee Y. W. (Director)

iv) Planning Consultant MHHR CONSULTANT SDN. BHD. No.1118C, Tingkat C Kompleks Alor Setar Lebuhraya Darulaman 05100 Alor Star, Kedah Darul Aman Tel: 04-730 0642; Fax: 04-731 8942 Attn.: Hj. Haji Bin Hj. Ramli (Director) vi) Environmental Consultant EUROPASIA ENGINEERING SERVICES SDN. BHD. (239233-K) No. 63A-2 & 65-2, Petaling Utama Avenue, Jalan PJS1/50,Taman Petaling Utama, 46150 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan. Tel. : 03-7783 3639/40; Fax. : 03-7784 3200 Attn. : Ms. Geetha P. Kumaran (C0020) (EIA Study Team Leader)

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EIA for the Proposed Development of 3 Blocks of Staff Residences and Other Amenities on PT 313, Bandar Padang Mat Sirat, District of Langkawi, Kedah Darul Aman.

v) Appointment of Accredited Analytical Laboratory SPECTRUM LABORATORIES () SDN. BHD. (SAMM NO.: 062) 1904, Tkt.1, Jalan , Taman Sri Mangga, 14000 , Seberang Tengah, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Tel.: 604-507 5168; Fax.: 604-507 4243 Attn.: Mr. C. M. Ong (Manager/Chemist) II. Existing Environment

Physical Environment

a. Topography • The site’s geomorphology comprises low-lying ground of river estuary. • The highest ground (approximately 3.682m above mean sea level) lies at the earth bund along the southwestern portion of the Project Site while the lowest ground (approximately 0.462m above msl) lies after the earth bunds in the southwestern boundary of the Project Site.

b. Coastal/Offshore Bathymetry • The coast is characterized by the sea, forming numerous rock headlands with small closed systems sandy pocket beaches form in between. At present the beach has no reported erosion conditions. None are thought to be imminent. • Shoreline materials of the Project Site are bedrock and sand. The sand is predominately quartz and calcareous material as well.

c. Hydrology • There is one (1) main river and one seasonal earth drain flowing through the Project Site. • The main river within the Project Site is Sg. Melaka which originates from the Gunung Raya, flows westwards and drains at the southern portion of the Project Site prior to discharging into the sea. It is approximately 13km in length, with a catchment of 64.85 km 2 (16023.80 Acres). • The earth drain within the Project Site drains at the eastern boundary of the Project Site before flowing directly into Kuala Sg. Melaka. • The seasonal streams are observed to have flowing waters whenever it rains.

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EIA for the Proposed Development of 3 Blocks of Staff Residences and Other Amenities on PT 313, Bandar Padang Mat Sirat, District of Langkawi, Kedah Darul Aman.

d. Geology and Soil • The entire Project Site is situated on the unconsolidated and semi-consolidated marine coastal sand which known as Gula Formation. • The deposits of Gula Formation vary from pure coarse and fine sand to pure silt or clay. e. Soil Investigations • A soil investigation (SI) of the Project Site was carried out by Deep Rocks Sdn. Bhd. on October to November 2012 under the supervision of Meinhardt (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd. • Based on SI results including 8 numbers of boreholes, 40 numbers of Mackintosh probes and laboratory tests, the subsurface of the Project Site comprises silty CLAY and clayey SILT with sand which is generally stiff to very stiff. f. Groundwater • Based on the Hydrogeological Map of Kedah (2008) published by Jabatan Mineral and Geosains (JMG) Malaysia, the Project Site is located on high potential aquifer regime of this region. g. Landuse • The surrounding areas are mainly surrounded by villages and resorts. The project Site is located within Kg. Kuala Melaka area. Kg. Kuala Teriang and Kg. Sg. Sedak are located towards to northwest of the project Site. Meanwhile, a few resorts are located to the south of the Project Site i.e. Kuala Melaka Inn, Langkawi Lagoon Resort and Perdana Beach Resort. • For this EIA study, the area within the arbitrary radius of 5km from the Project boundary has been defined as the impact area. The total acreage that is covered by the 5km radius is 20,264.51 acres (8,200.8 ha). • Assessment on the land use shows that the predominant type of land use setting within the total impact area is water body which covers 38.97% or 3,196.13 ac of the 5km radius from the Project boundary. The water body is represented by Straits of Malacca. • The other predominant land is Agricultural land make up about 8,806.99 acres or 28.66% of the total impact areas. The types of agricultural crops noted on this land use were mixed horticulture, agriculture stations, rubber, orchards, paddy, pastura and ruminant plants. • Forest area makes up about 28.53% or 5,781.54 acres of the total impact area. Bukit Sawak Forest Reserve which is situated on the northern portion of the Project Site dominates the forest area.

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EIA for the Proposed Development of 3 Blocks of Staff Residences and Other Amenities on PT 313, Bandar Padang Mat Sirat, District of Langkawi, Kedah Darul Aman.

• Settlements and non-agricultural areas make up the other major land use within the 5 km impact areas, which includes urban and recreation areas, main roads and quarry and ex-quarries area. The total acreage involved for this type of land use is 657.58 acres or 3.24%. Existing nearest receptors with distances to the Project Site is shown in Figure C.

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EIA for the Proposed Development of 3 Blocks of Staff Residences and Other Amenities on PT 313, Bandar Padang Mat Sirat, District of Langkawi, Kedah Darul Aman.

Figure C: Distance to the Nearest Receptors of the Project Site

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EIA for the Proposed Development of 3 Blocks of Staff Residences and Other Amenities on PT 313, Bandar Padang Mat Sirat, District of Langkawi, Kedah Darul Aman.

h. Water Quality (Stream and Marine) • Baseline water sampling for the steams was conducted on session was conducted on 20 th September 2013, at four (4) sampling points representing two monitoring sessions i.e., morning and evening. • Marine water sampling was conducted on 20th September 2013 at two (2) sampling points representing two monitoring sessions i.e. morning and evening. Sampling for streams and marine water was conducted by DSM-accredited laboratory, i.e., Spectrum Laboratories Sdn. Bhd. • The water quality is summarized in terms of Water Quality Index (WQI) as shown in Table C. The computed results showed that all sampling points fall under Class II of the National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia. Generally, the water quality is clean and acceptable for recreation.

Table C: Results of WQI Assessment for Sg. Kuala Melaka and the Seasonal Streams

Sampling WQI Location Description Site Morning Evening o 6 21’24.5”N Represent upstream point of a 79 77 o W1 99 42’59.7”E seasonal stream located on the (Class II) (Class II) upstream of existing drain.

6o21’20.1”N 88 89 Represent downstream point of as (Class II) (Class II) W2 99 o43’03.3”E seasonal stream located on the downstream of the existing drain.

o 6 21’17.1”N Represent upstream of Sg. Kuala 85 83 W3 (Class II) (Class II) 99 o43’05.7”E Melaka.

o 6 21’18.9”N Represent downstream of Sg. Kuala 82 77 W4 (Class II) (Class II) 99 o43’03.4”E Melaka. Source: Europasia Engineering Services Sdn. Bhd., 2013. Classification according to the National Water Quality Standards (NWQS) for Malaysia.

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EIA for the Proposed Development of 3 Blocks of Staff Residences and Other Amenities on PT 313, Bandar Padang Mat Sirat, District of Langkawi, Kedah Darul Aman.

i. Air Quality • Existing air quality was determined at A1 and A2 refer to Figure 3.19) conducted from the 21 st to 23 rd September 2013 as depicted in Table D . • All the parameters indicated levels within the permissible limits. Therefore good air quality is indicated at the Project Site and its surrounding areas.

Table D: Description of Air Monitoring Sampling Stations

Sampling Location Location Description Located at Kg. Kuala Melaka. Point A1 6o21’24.5”N 99 o42’59.4”E Surrounding contributors: • Vehicles traversing along Jalan Kuala Muda • Human activities Located at Taman Sungai near to the Project Site. Point A2 6o21’11.6”N Surrounding contributors: 99 o43’09.3”E • Vehicles traversing along Jalan Kuala Muda • Human activities Source: Europasia Engineering Services Sdn. Bhd, 2013 j. Sound Level • Noise levels at the designated sampling sites N1 and N2 (same location with the air quality assessment) were determined from from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. for day-time and 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. for night-time. • The result analysis shows that existing noise level at N1 and N2 were within the permissible limits of Schedule 1 of the Schedule of Permissible Sound Levels; The Planning Guidelines for Environmental Noise Limits & Control, Department of Environment • Any increment on the noise level could be attributed by the noise from vehicular movements and human activities.

Biological Environment • The Proposed Project Site has a low vegetation profile as major portion of the area has been cleared previously. • As the habitat is fairly disturbed, no dominant plant species were encountered; common coastal plant species characteristic of island and cleared lands encountered include sea almond (Terminalia cattappa ), Coconut ( Cocos nucifera ), perennial climbers and grasses such as Beach

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EIA for the Proposed Development of 3 Blocks of Staff Residences and Other Amenities on PT 313, Bandar Padang Mat Sirat, District of Langkawi, Kedah Darul Aman.

morning glory ( Ipomoea pes-caprae ) and Merremia tridentate, Lalang (Imprerata cylindrical ), Fountain grass ( Pennisetum sp .), Alocasia , Banana ( Musa sp.) and etc. • Along the Sungai Melaka and Jetty area, plants encountered are mainly mangrove species such as Bakau Kurap ( Rhizophora mucronata ) and Api-api putih ( Avicenia alba ). • Based on the survey and study conducted, there is no endemic and endangered flora species found within the Project Site. However, mangrove species poses a conservation value even though they are commonly found in the country secondary forest and riverine area. • Due to the Project Site being classified as a disturbed area for faunal habitats the present condition is not suitable for wildlife. Typical faunal species found in the rural area are most likely to be found at the Project Site, which are small mammals, reptiles and amphibians.

Socio-economic Environment • The population of Pulau Langkawi based on the Population and Housing Census Malaysia 2010, was 92,784 people. Malays accounted to 77,279, followed by the Chinese at 4,253 and Indian at 1,712 people. Bumiputra and other races totaled at 151 and 212 people respectively. Non- Malaysian accounted for 9,177 people. • The proposed development caters for Ritz Carlton Langakwi workers accommodation, therefore not a conventional human settlement i.e. residential area. It is not anticipated that there will be additional population to be created when the Project is operational, as majority of the workers will be employed from local populace. • The Project site is located at the river mouth, therefore the local fishermen have constructed a makeshift jetty for their daily use. The jetties will not be affected by the proposed development. • In general, the local populace mostly engaged in the fishing and farming activities. Some of the villagers also open up restaurant at their court yard serving local delicacies; while some were observed erecting stalls selling souvenirs.

III. Project Description

• Based on the proposed project development, approximately 76% of the total area 1.50ac will be developed into built up units and infrastructure while the remaining 24% will remain as green area. • Accommodation i.e. 3 blocks of staff residences make up 19.32% of the total area i.e., approximately 0.29ac out of the total development area.

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EIA for the Proposed Development of 3 Blocks of Staff Residences and Other Amenities on PT 313, Bandar Padang Mat Sirat, District of Langkawi, Kedah Darul Aman.

• Other structures such as futsal and badminton court and guard house take up about 8.99% or 0.135ac out of the total built up area. • Utilities and infrastructures make up about 7.66% or 0.115ac which include TNB substation, Sewerage Treatment Plant, Water Tank, Waste Depot and M&E Room. • The remaining area of 64.03% or 0.96 acre out of the total 1.50ac is earmarked for proposed road/car park, green area, linkage and wall. • With the total population equivalent estimated to be 147 PE ; the quantitative demand in basic infrastructural facilities and the amount of waste generated is summarized in Table E.

Table E: Estimated Utilities Demand and Waste Generated during the Operational Phase

Sector Estimated Description Demand/Output

Maximum • One (1) TNB substations have been allocated to cater for electricity the electricity demand for the Project. Electricity demand 280.28kW • Source of water supply shall be from Syarikat Air Darul Aman Sdn. Bhd. (SADA). Water Demand 154,445 L/day • The treated water shall be stored in a water tank located at the northern part of the development prior for distribution.

• The sewage from this area will be pumped into a Sewage Sewerage 33,075 L/day Treatment Plant that is situated at the northern portion of the Project Site. • Solid waste collection and disposal services at the Project Solid Waste 147 kg per day site falls under the administration of Majlis Perbandaran Langkawi.

Source: Europasia Engineering Services Sdn. Bhd., 2013

The proposed development is expected to be operational by first quarter of 2015. Site preparation

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EIA for the Proposed Development of 3 Blocks of Staff Residences and Other Amenities on PT 313, Bandar Padang Mat Sirat, District of Langkawi, Kedah Darul Aman.

takes about 4 months while construction is expected to be completed in 10 months. Physical works will commence by 2014, and expected to be fully completed by early 2015. The developed Project is expected to house the hotel workers by second quarter of 2015.

IV. Significant Environmental Impacts and the Proposed Mitigating Measures

Key environmental issues are those related to activities during the site clearing, construction phase and operational phase. All the impacts that are likely to be generated by the proposed Project together with the proposed mitigation measures are summarized in Table F.

V. Environmental Management Plan (EMP)

Apart from the recommendation of mitigating measures, this report also emphasizes on the formulation and implementation of an environmental management plan (EMP). This plan involves the participation of the Project developer, local authorities, consultants as well as the contractors. The outline of the EMP relies on a collective effort from all the various group involved regardless of their level of involvement in the hierarchy. The management schemes and monitoring program proposed for the proposed Project at construction and operational levels are: • Supervision, field training and maintenance program for pollution control structures; • On-site implementation of mitigation measures; • Planning of a progress of works on site; • Provision of safety measure along with an emergency response plan; • Implementation of a properly documented traffic management scheme to ensure safety within the site; • Water, air and noise quality monitoring to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed mitigation measures implemented on-site; • Water, air and noise quality need to be analyzed by a laboratory accredited by Jabatan Piawaian (Standard) Malaysia.

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EIA for the Proposed Development of 3 Blocks of Staff Residences and Other Amenities on PT 313, Bandar Padang Mat Sirat, District of Langkawi, Kedah Darul Aman.

VI. Conclusion

The proposed development will be developed on PT 313, Bandar Padang Mat Sirat, District of Langkawi, Kedah Darul Aman. The proposed Project will be developed by Pusaka Menawan Sdn. Bhd. The Project Site is under the jurisdiction of Majlis Perbandaran Langkawi.

In reviewing the proposed Project and its’ anticipated integration with the existing environment of the Project Site, the main concerns is the effect of soil erosion and contamination (i.e. water, air and noise pollution) on the physical environment and upon human himself during the earthworks and construction phase. Part of the biological environment will be lost during site clearing and construction activities. However, this can be mitigated via the various practical and cost effective remedial measures recommended in this report to minimize adverse environmental impacts. Success of the development in integrating with the surrounding developing areas will contribute towards the social acceptability of the proposed Project. By incorporating the concept of conservation in an environmentally led design layout plan, a sustainable development can be achieved to offset its adverse impacts.

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