Kepong residents say may go to court to stop incinerator

An aerial view of the proposed site for the WTE plant near the Kuala Lumpur Transfer Station.

A RESIDENT'S group has vowed to go all out to stop a waste-to-energy (WTE) plant that will include an incinerator from being set up in Kepong after it emerged the Pakatan Government has given the project the green light.

The Kuala Lumpur Tak Nak Insinerator (KTI) group said it wanted to meet the relevant minister and would also consider resorting to court action as a last-ditch measure to stop the plant from materialising in Taman Beringin, Kepong.

"We want to meet Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin to seek clarification and details on the incinerator project," said KTI chairman Lee Chong Teck.

"We are disappointed with the ministry's decision to proceed with the project, after having submitted a memorandum to the minister objecting against the incinerator project just two days ago (Wed, Aug 15) in Parliament." 

Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng, who raised the matter in Parliament, received a written reply yesterday (Thurs, Aug 16) from Zuraida's ministry stating that construction of the plant would proceed.

It said the decision was based on several "justifications" , such as the open tender method for the project and the fact that the plant would reduce reliance on landfill methods for waste disposal.

The decision met with disappointment in Kepong.

"We believe burning should be a last resort," Lee said.

"This is based on the history of earlier failed incinerator projects in Cameron Highlands, Langkawi, Tioman and Pangkor."

Lee said there were other alternatives for disposing of waste and suggested that the Government could do more to promote existing waste separation programmes or work towards zero waste.

"We don't want the incinerator because it will be located within 200m of residential areas. 

"This will affect our health and the environment," said Lee.