RESIDENTS objecting to the proposed development of the waste-to-energy (WTE) plant in Batu Arang, Selangor, are appealing for public donations.
This comes after the Department of Environment (DOE) reportedly approved the sixth version of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report in July.
The group’s protests has been ongoing for about three years.
Jaringan Rawang Tolak Insinerator (JRTI) spokesperson Abdul Hanan Abd Mokti estimated that the group required at least RM100,000 to support its efforts, including legal action.
“We are discussing potential legal actions with a law firm.
“This could involve filing a judicial review against the approved EIA report, challenging the land rezoning by the Selayang Municipal Council or contesting the state government’s decision to amend our local plan for the WTE plant.
“The RM100,000 estimate is based on other legal cases in the past,” he said.
In a press conference at Dataran Batu Arang, Abdul Hanan said the group sent 13 letters to DOE since October last year and has not received any response.
“We were also not informed of the basis for the EIA report’s approval and the safeguards the authorities can provide.
“If air pollution or geological instability occurs due to the WTE plant, what are the authorities’ mitigation plans?” he asked.
Also present at the press conference were Selayang MP William Leong and about 100 residents from Batu Arang and nearby Rawang townships such as Bandar Tasik Puteri and Bandar Seri Coalfields.
Leong urged DOE to publicise the approved EIA report for residents to fully understand the risks associated with the WTE plant and the corresponding mitigation plans.
The WTE project is officially called the Sultan Idris Shah Green Energy Plant,
“When the first EIA report was publicised, we raised our concerns about building a WTE plant on a former coal mine and the risks of underground fire.
“Have these concerns been addressed?
“Can the authorities assure the residents that the project is risk-free?
“If not, what is the level of risk?” he asked.
Leong said he would raise the issue in Parliament.
The project’s first EIA report, which was rejected, was submitted to DOE on April 22 last year and was subsequently publicised for public feedback.
JRTI and Leong criticised the report as “incomplete”, claiming that it excluded viable alternatives, ignored residents’ concerns and failed to assess the plant’s scheduled waste component.
Leong further urged the state government to consider a zero-waste approach to waste management.
“In countries like Denmark, a lot of WTE plants are being closed as they move towards a zero-waste approach,” he said.
The WTE plant is a joint initiative by KDEB Waste Management and YTL Power Generation.
