GEORGE TOWN: The Jelutong Waste Disposal Site (TPSJ) rehabilitation project remains under review as authorities await further deliberation on key technical and administrative matters, including an extension of time (EOT) application submitted by the project contractor PLB Engineering.
State local government committee chairman Jason H’ng Mooi Lye said the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the project was initially not approved by the Environment Department (DOE) on March 2 this year due to unresolved technical issues.
“DOE rejected the EIA application and requested that PLBE update and address several technical requirements that could not be fulfilled at that stage,” he said.
He added that PLB Enginering has since resubmitted its EIA application after making the necessary revisions in accordance with DOE requirements.
H’ng said the project, implemented by the Penang Development Corporation (PDC), is now pending further clarification, particularly on the EOT request submitted by PLB Engineering to PDC.
“We are still awaiting a paper from PDC on the EOT application by PLBE, which is expected to be tabled at the upcoming exco meeting on May 20,” he said.
He said no decision has been made yet on whether the project will be extended or halted, as the matter requires a comprehensive assessment.
“At this stage, there is no final decision. We need to consider all factors that will be presented at the State Executive Council meeting on May 20,” he said.
H'ng added that the meeting will review whether the revised conditions imposed by DOE have been satisfactorily addressed, and whether they can be fully complied with moving forward.
He said that PLBE presented additional proposals to PDC, including possible changes to the project scope, which may involve developing a public recreational park.
“We are still awaiting PDC to present the full paper to the state Exco for further consideration,” he said.
H'ng was responding to a question from reportera whether the state government would discuss with PLB Engineering on the viability of the project after its EIA application was rejected by DOE for the fifth time.
On April 30, the Protect Karpal Singh Drive resident group called upon the state government to drop its plan to rehabilitate the closed Jelutong landfill and reclaim adjacent land after it failed to secure environmental approval for the fifth time.
The group said the state should stop "hiding behind process", end the reclamation plan and start work on the public park residents had long been promised.
The group called on the state to confirm that no further extensions would be given, end PLB Engineering's role, make public all environment department rejection letters and remove the reclamation plan from future proposals.
