Move to ensure EIA is objective

PENANG exco Jagdeep Singh Deo is spot on in saying that it is time to stop developers from funding their own Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports as there is a clear conflict of interest.

I would suggest that the relevant ministry set up an agency such as a survey board. All EIA report fees should be paid up front to that board before the consultant undertakes his work. Perhaps a scale of fees should be introduced too.