Incinerator unnecessary, say Kepong residents

KUALA LUMPUR: A coalition of over 20 resident associations wants to meet Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan to protest against the setting up of an incinerator in Taman Beringin, Kepong.

The Kuala Lumpur Tak Nak Incinerator (KTI) movement said it was concerned over a lack of communication between the group and authorities.

Movement chairman Isaiah Jacob said the group opposed the proposed incinerator, which has a capacity to process 1,000 tonnes of garbage daily, for environmental, economic and health reasons.

“It is being built so close to the houses here,” he told reporters yesterday. KTI secretary Andy Ng said without further information, residents could not be assured that the company tendered to build the incinerator was competent.

He called on the Government to prove that the Bukit Tagar landfill could only receive 2,500 tonnes of waste a day and that its operating lifespan is nearly over.

“We believe Bukit Tagar can receive 4,000 to 5,000 tonnes of waste and garbage per day and can operate till 2050,” he said.

KTI is organising a series of talks and collecting signatures for a petition, he added. “Once we collect 100,000 signatures we will march to Putrajaya from Kelab Sultan Sulaiman on Feb 23.”

When contacted, Abdul Rahman said he would be more than happy to meet with KTI.

“I haven’t received any letters from them. If they do reach out to my ministry, I will immediately set up a meeting. My director-general will address questions and I am happy to listen too,” he said.