Broga: Site visit turns into a day of drama
Claudia Theophilus
Jan 19, 06 8:49pm
It was a day filled with adrenaline-pumping drama for Broga residents and journalists who embarked on a journey to the area earmarked for the RM1.5 billion incinerator.
The drama unfolded during a slow trip to the newly-marked site in a convoy of 4WD vehicles employing tricky manoeuvres on a slippery mud road that cut through fruit orchards and rubber trees.
The group comprised residents, journalists, DAP non-governmental organisation bureau chief Ronnie Liu, Semenyih DAP branch chief Gan Boon Cheong and DAP international secretary Prof P Ramasamy.
Broga sub-committee chairperson Dr Zulkefly Mohamad Omar arrived much later.
First, two of the 4WDs got stuck in the mud. So, the media representatives had to continue the 45-minute hike uphill by foot.
At one point along the route, the sound of chain-saw and trees being felled were heard. Then, a newly-built open-sided wooden hut came into view with two men walking about.
After another 20-minute trek, three men were seen felling trees. Liu was heard shouting for them to stop work, saying that police reports have been lodged against the illegal activity.
Minutes later three Acehnese, one of them carrying a chain-saw on his shoulder, emerged from the hillside clearing and related how six of them had been hired last week to cut down trees in 40 acres of forest area.
Contract workers
Claiming ignorance on the land status, they said they were told it was Orang Asli land that was being cleared for oil palm cultivation.
One of them called their ‘employer’, a Jeffri, who then spoke to Liu and agreed to stop the felling.
The group continued to the new site of the incinerator further uphill where border markers were seen surrounding a five-acre land of rubber and fruit trees belonging to Wong Chen Kim, mother to the committee’s most vocal member Alice Lee, who was not present today.
However, upon return to the land clearing, the six Acehnese were seen detained in two Pajeros belonging to the Selangor Forestry Department enroute to the police station.
Met on location, central region forestry officer Muhamad Murad (left), who was accompanied by a uniformed ranger and three other officers, said they were conducting a routine check when they heard the sound of chain-saw.
He said although the area in question was not the Sungai Lalang forest reserve, it was an offence to fell trees and remove timber on state land without a permit.
“We need to first check the status of the land. If it is private land, the owner can fell the trees but needs to have a permit to transport the timber out.
“We will investigate this matter. I think this is most probably state land,” he told reporters and the Broga committee members.
Police reports
Ramasamy, who is Semenyih/Broga No Incinerator pro tem action committee chairperson and resident of Taman Tasik Semenyih, said later that the culprits could be outsiders taking advantage of the mud road cut through the forests for the incinerator project.
Earlier, two reports were lodged at the Semenyih police station over the land clearing nearby the incinerator site and against the Selangor Land and Minerals Department for acquiring land pending the approval of an additional environmental impact assessment (EIA) report.
The addendum is pending technical evaluation by the Department of Environment (DOE) which is seeking public comments until the extended date of Feb 28.
A new site was chosen after the original one, approximately 200 metres higher, failed to make the cut in the detailed EIA report which was given conditional approval on May 28.
It is believed that a failure to comply with the conditions had prompted a study of the new area, which report was completed in March last year but only released early last December.
But pending a DOE approval, the state land department has started paying compensation to Broga landowners totalling hundreds of thousands of ringgit for land to build an access road to the site of the 1,500-tonne capacity incinerator project.
Misleading statements
After lodging his report, Liu said the department is wrong because it was also named as a defendant in a related suit pending in the Shah Alam High Court.
“Making such statements is false and misleading. In our view, this amounts to a contempt of court,” he said, referring to a report in an English daily yesterday.
“Clearly the land acquisition procedures under the Land Acquisition Act 1960 have not also been followed.”
He said landowners must first be notified of the intention to and purpose of acquiring land followed by price negotiation and an offer letter on the agreed sum before finally issuing a letter to collect payment.
“We were told that some of the cheques were from the department and some from Ebara but we haven’t confirm this yet.”
The government hired Tokyo-based Ebara Corp, with its local partner Hartasuma Sdn Bhd, to design, build and operate the mammoth incinerator originally slated for operations in 2007.
For the past four years, residents in and around Broga, a remote farming hamlet that straddles Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, have doggedly opposed the construction of the giant plant.
They said it poses a health and environmental hazard, a huge burden on taxpayers and directly affects the local economy which is largely based on rubber small-holdings and fruit and vegetable farming.
The incinerator project was relocated from Kampung Bohol in suburban Puchong to backwater Broga in November 2002 following intense public pressure which posed a threat to the ruling government.
Ever since then, the government particularly the Housing and Local Government Ministry, has remained indifferent to Broga residents’ countless requests to hear them out.
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Broga project settled’ NST 17th Jan 2006
Broga project settled’
Jason Gerald KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 17:
The Selangor Land and Mines Department has obtained a court order to proceed with land acquisition for the building of an access road to the incinerator project site in Broga. Deputy director Othman Ismail said the department was going ahead with the land acquisition and compensation payment to residents. "Everything is settled. The High Court rejected the interim stay order against the project in October. The land is being acquired under the Land Acquisition Act 1960, under the instruction of the Ministry of Housing and Local Government. "The matter has been referred to the state legal adviser and everything is being done according to the law," he said today. Othman was asked to comment on the claim by a group of Broga residents accusing the State of acquiring land for an incinerator plant before the project had been approved. On Feb 15 last year, residents of Broga, in their battle to stop the construction of the billion-ringgit incinerator project, obtained an interim stay order against the project. On Jan 20, Broga resident Lee Yoke Kim filed an application on behalf of the villagers for a stay order against the Selangor Menteri Besar, the Science, Technology and Environment Ministry, and the Selangor Land and Mines Department director, pending the outcome of the main suit. The residents are seeking a court declaration ordering the Government to divulge details of the project. Broga No-Incinerator Action Committee member Alice Lee said Othman may be unaware that the case was still pending in court. The hearing date has been set on Feb 18. Lee said the High Court had still not heard the Government’s reply on the matter, especially on the project details. She said the committee planned to lodge a police report in Semenyih on Thursday. Othman also said that of the 28 Broga residents who received offers of land acquisition, 14 had collected their cheques. Residents received a letter dated Dec 28, asking them to collect cheques from the department. The action committee was up in arms over the letters, a copy of which, signed by Othman on behalf of the director-general of the Selangor Land and Minerals Department, was obtained by the NST.
Jason Gerald KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 17:
The Selangor Land and Mines Department has obtained a court order to proceed with land acquisition for the building of an access road to the incinerator project site in Broga. Deputy director Othman Ismail said the department was going ahead with the land acquisition and compensation payment to residents. "Everything is settled. The High Court rejected the interim stay order against the project in October. The land is being acquired under the Land Acquisition Act 1960, under the instruction of the Ministry of Housing and Local Government. "The matter has been referred to the state legal adviser and everything is being done according to the law," he said today. Othman was asked to comment on the claim by a group of Broga residents accusing the State of acquiring land for an incinerator plant before the project had been approved. On Feb 15 last year, residents of Broga, in their battle to stop the construction of the billion-ringgit incinerator project, obtained an interim stay order against the project. On Jan 20, Broga resident Lee Yoke Kim filed an application on behalf of the villagers for a stay order against the Selangor Menteri Besar, the Science, Technology and Environment Ministry, and the Selangor Land and Mines Department director, pending the outcome of the main suit. The residents are seeking a court declaration ordering the Government to divulge details of the project. Broga No-Incinerator Action Committee member Alice Lee said Othman may be unaware that the case was still pending in court. The hearing date has been set on Feb 18. Lee said the High Court had still not heard the Government’s reply on the matter, especially on the project details. She said the committee planned to lodge a police report in Semenyih on Thursday. Othman also said that of the 28 Broga residents who received offers of land acquisition, 14 had collected their cheques. Residents received a letter dated Dec 28, asking them to collect cheques from the department. The action committee was up in arms over the letters, a copy of which, signed by Othman on behalf of the director-general of the Selangor Land and Minerals Department, was obtained by the NST.
Alternative site proposed NST 17th Jan 2006
Alternative site proposed
PUTRAJAYA, Jan 17:
The environmental impact assessment (EIA) document on the proposed Broga incinerator, now on public display till Feb 28, reveals that an alternative site for the project is being considered for its benefits in terms of reducing soil loss and slope erosion. The alternative site lies between Sungai Saringgit and Sungai Rinching on gentler terrain, whereas the original site was on hilly slopes north of Sungai Saringgit. The project will use up 39.7ha of land compared to the 166ha in the original site. Because of gentler terrain, only 2.4ha of slopes face erosion risk in the new site, compared to 13.3ha at the old one. The document notes that sloping areas to be developed will be reduced by 82 per cent and require only 531,000 cubic metres of soil to be excavated. The original site required 4,270,000 cubic metres to be dug up. Less cutting and filling of slopes would be necessary, and there would be a lower risk of slope failure. "There are significant positive implications for soil erosion and sediment control ... (the new site) will generate 76.8 per cent less soil loss over earthworks, and shorten the earthworks period from 14 months to five months." The document is called "Addendum to the Detailed EIA on Thermal Treatment Plant for Solid Waste Management in Broga, Semenyih, Hulu Langat". It is an addition to the original detailed EIA, which was approved on May 28, 2004. The Department of Environment requested the addendum after receiving feedback that more attempts to minimise environmental impacts be looked into. The addendum was to have been removed from public scrutiny on Jan 5 but is now on further display at all DOE libraries until Feb 28 following appeals by Broga residents yesterday. The bad news is that the document appears to predict that average soil loss after project completion would be roughly 5.6 tonnes per hectare per year. Most of this soil run-off would flow into Sungai Rinching, which the report did not deem to be of "beneficial use" compared to Sungai Saringgit, which flows into aquaculture farms downstream. Sungai Rinching was also noted to be a faster-flowing river and hence, having a higher dilution rate for pollutants to aid in the recovery of the river system. However, the report notes that soil loss will still be significant due to the removal of vegetation cover and loosening of soil, especially during the first few months of earthworks. Mitigating measures during construction, such as building sediment ponds, silt traps, run-off drains, culverts and re-vegetation of slopes must be undertaken, the report said.
PUTRAJAYA, Jan 17:
The environmental impact assessment (EIA) document on the proposed Broga incinerator, now on public display till Feb 28, reveals that an alternative site for the project is being considered for its benefits in terms of reducing soil loss and slope erosion. The alternative site lies between Sungai Saringgit and Sungai Rinching on gentler terrain, whereas the original site was on hilly slopes north of Sungai Saringgit. The project will use up 39.7ha of land compared to the 166ha in the original site. Because of gentler terrain, only 2.4ha of slopes face erosion risk in the new site, compared to 13.3ha at the old one. The document notes that sloping areas to be developed will be reduced by 82 per cent and require only 531,000 cubic metres of soil to be excavated. The original site required 4,270,000 cubic metres to be dug up. Less cutting and filling of slopes would be necessary, and there would be a lower risk of slope failure. "There are significant positive implications for soil erosion and sediment control ... (the new site) will generate 76.8 per cent less soil loss over earthworks, and shorten the earthworks period from 14 months to five months." The document is called "Addendum to the Detailed EIA on Thermal Treatment Plant for Solid Waste Management in Broga, Semenyih, Hulu Langat". It is an addition to the original detailed EIA, which was approved on May 28, 2004. The Department of Environment requested the addendum after receiving feedback that more attempts to minimise environmental impacts be looked into. The addendum was to have been removed from public scrutiny on Jan 5 but is now on further display at all DOE libraries until Feb 28 following appeals by Broga residents yesterday. The bad news is that the document appears to predict that average soil loss after project completion would be roughly 5.6 tonnes per hectare per year. Most of this soil run-off would flow into Sungai Rinching, which the report did not deem to be of "beneficial use" compared to Sungai Saringgit, which flows into aquaculture farms downstream. Sungai Rinching was also noted to be a faster-flowing river and hence, having a higher dilution rate for pollutants to aid in the recovery of the river system. However, the report notes that soil loss will still be significant due to the removal of vegetation cover and loosening of soil, especially during the first few months of earthworks. Mitigating measures during construction, such as building sediment ponds, silt traps, run-off drains, culverts and re-vegetation of slopes must be undertaken, the report said.
Monday, January 02, 2006
Updates on Broga Incinerator
Did you know that the largest incinerator in Asia is planned to be built in Broga, 40km from Kuala Lumpu? And it lies in a water catchment area that supplies drinking water to 1.5 million people in the Klang Valley including Bangsar, Petaling Jaya, parts of Shah Alam and Puchong.
The latest update: The Broga incinerator site has been moved down the slope and now it lies right smack on Alice's mother's land. Coincidence? We don't think so. For those who have not watched the doco Alice Lives Here, Alice Lee is one of the feisty residents of Broga who has taken the government to court over the controversial incinerator. For this, she and the peaceful folks of Broga have been threatened by SB's and a wakil rakyat, "nanti saya hentam baru tahu!".
We need to let the authorities know how we feel, because it affects not only Alice and Broga, but us, in that we will be drinking water where the incinerator will be sitting on. This is the time for us to give feedback to the Department of Environment and I suggest that we CC to Pak Lah, Ong Ka Ting (his ministry is implementing the project), Health Ministry and newspaper editors (e-mail addresses are below). There are two versions, Malay and English.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Reelpower
Useful Contacts
Ministers addresses
Dato' Sri Abdullah Perdana Menteri
Pejabat Perdana Menteri
Bangunan Perdana Putra
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan
62502 Putrajaya
Tel : 03 8888 8000
Fax: 03 8888 3444
ppm@pmo.gov.my
Dato Dr Chua Soi Lek
Menteri Kesihatan
marsita@moh.gov.my
Dato' Seri Ong Ka Ting
Kementerian Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan
Paras 3-7, Blok K, Pusat Bandar Damansara, 50782 Kuala Lumpur
[Tel: 603-2094 7033 /Fax : 603-2094 9720] menteri@kpkt.gov.my
-------------------------------------------------------------------
E-mails and contact numbers:
News Straits Times : fax 03-2284 8248 / ! 03-2282 3001 / 03-2284 9144
email: letters@nstp.com.my
The Malay Mail : fax 03-2284 9133
email: mailbag@nstp.com.my
The Sunday Mail : fax 03-2282
1434 email: mmnews@nstp.com.my
Star Publications (M'sia) Bhd : fax 03-7954 2544
email: editor@thestar.com.my
The Sun : fax 03-7785 2624
email: letters@thesundaily.com
Malaysiakini : 03-2289 2579
email: editor@malaysiakini.com
Utusan
Malaysia : fax 03-9222 7876 / 03-9223 6031 / 03-9223 9854 (surat
kpd Pengarang)
email: pendapat@utusan.com.my
Berita Harian : fax 03-2282 2425 / 03-2284 4978
email: bh@bharian.com.my
Harian Metro : fax 03-2284 8390 / 03-2284 6133
email: bhnews@bharian.com.my / sazarina@bharian.com.my
Bernama : fax 03-2698 1102
email: bgns@bernama.com.my
KOSMO : fax 03-9221 8590
email: farizwan@kosmo.com.my
Dato' Sri Abdullah Perdana Menteri
Pejabat Perdana Menteri
Bangunan Perdana Putra
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan
62502 Putrajaya
Tel : 03 8888 8000
Fax: 03 8888 3444
ppm@pmo.gov.my
Dato Dr Chua Soi Lek
Menteri Kesihatan
marsita@moh.gov.my
Dato' Seri Ong Ka Ting
Kementerian Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan
Paras 3-7, Blok K, Pusat Bandar Damansara, 50782 Kuala Lumpur
[Tel: 603-2094 7033 /Fax : 603-2094 9720] menteri@kpkt.gov.my
-------------------------------------------------------------------
E-mails and contact numbers:
News Straits Times : fax 03-2284 8248 / ! 03-2282 3001 / 03-2284 9144
email: letters@nstp.com.my
The Malay Mail : fax 03-2284 9133
email: mailbag@nstp.com.my
The Sunday Mail : fax 03-2282
1434 email: mmnews@nstp.com.my
Star Publications (M'sia) Bhd : fax 03-7954 2544
email: editor@thestar.com.my
The Sun : fax 03-7785 2624
email: letters@thesundaily.com
Malaysiakini : 03-2289 2579
email: editor@malaysiakini.com
Utusan
Malaysia : fax 03-9222 7876 / 03-9223 6031 / 03-9223 9854 (surat
kpd Pengarang)
email: pendapat@utusan.com.my
Berita Harian : fax 03-2282 2425 / 03-2284 4978
email: bh@bharian.com.my
Harian Metro : fax 03-2284 8390 / 03-2284 6133
email: bhnews@bharian.com.my / sazarina@bharian.com.my
Bernama : fax 03-2698 1102
email: bgns@bernama.com.my
KOSMO : fax 03-9221 8590
email: farizwan@kosmo.com.my
Surat Bantahan atas Laporan Tambahan EIA
Ketua Pengarah
Jabatan Alam Sekitar , Aras 3-7, Blok C4, Parcel C,
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan, 62662 Putrajaya.
e-mail: hri@doe.gov.my
Tuan/Puan,
Mengapa Projek Insinerator Broga Harus Dipertimbangkan:
Ulasan Ke Atas Laporan Tambahan EIA (Addendum EIA 2005)
Saya, sebagai rakyat Malaysia yang prihatin terhadap alam sekitar dan kesihatan rakyat, ingin membuat ulasan terhadap Laporan Tambahan EIA yang dikeluarkan baru-baru ini. Walaupun adanya sedikit kelebihan memindahkan tapak incinerator ke kawasan lebih rendah dan pamah (200m Tenggara dari tapak asal), akan tetapi masalah-masalah yang dihuraikan di Laporan EIA Terperinci Semenyih/Broga 2003 masih lagi belum dapat diselesaikan.
Misalnya:
1) Tapak insinerator terlalu hampir dengan kawasan perumahan dan Universiti of Nottingham. Seperti yang dinyatakan dalam Garis Panduan Perancangan Tapak Insinerator yang dikeluarkan oleh Jabatan Perancangan Bandar dan Desa (JPBD) Semenanjung Malaysia 1999 , oleh kerana Insinerator bersekil besar adalah jenis bersepadu di mana sisa pepejal dan sisa-sisa berjadual (toksid) diproses, Insinerator ini perlu ditempatkan jauh daripada orang awam. Jarak perlulah sekurang-kurang 50 km radius daripada kawasan keutamaan pembangunan.
Akan tetapi mengikut Laporan EIA Terperinci (DEIA 2003), terdapat 400,000 penduduk di dalam lingkungan 10km radius darip tapak insinerator. Kawasan perumahan terdekat ialah Taman Tasik Semenyih yang jauhnya hanya 1.99 km dari tapak incinerator. Cadangan projek ini benar-benar bercanggah dengan garis panduan demi keselamatan rakyat yang dikeluarkan oleh JPBD di bawah Kementrian Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan.
2) Tapak insinerator yang baru masih di dalam kawasan tadahan air iaitu di antara Sg Saringgit dan Sg Rinching dan kedua-kedua sungai ini adalah anak Sg Semenyih yang membekalkan air minuman kepada lebih daripada 1.5 juta penduduk di sekitar Lembah Kelang dan Selangor.
Air adalah hak kita semua. Jabatan Alam Sekitar harus memahami kepentingan sungai sebagai sumber air minuman kepada rakyat. Kami juga merujuk kepada janji Puan Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Alam Sekitar semasa penerangan kepada ketua-ketua kampung di Semenyih pada 2002 iaitu sekiranya kawasan projek insinerator adalah kawasan tadahan air, beliau adalah orang pertama yang akan membatalkan projek tersebut. Di samping itu, Menteri Besar Selangor juga telah berjanji bahawa kerajaan negeri tidak pernah membenarkan sebarang pembangunan di kawasan tadahan air. Oleh itu, kami menyeru Puan Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Alam Sekitar dan Menteri Besar Selangor menuraikan janji mereka memandangkan laporan EIA telah jelas menunjukkan tapak insinerator yang dicadangkan adalah kawasan tadahan air.
3) Tidak kira projek ini pindah ke mana, ia tetap akan melepaskan berbagai jenis gas semasa operasi loji. Gas-gas ini bukan sahaja merosakkan alam sekitar, ia juga akan membahayakan kesihatan manusia. Menurut Laporan EIA Terperinci 2003, penilaian utama pencemaran udara dari sisa incinerator ialah dioksin. Salah satu bahan kimia yang terkandung dalam dioksin adalah 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) yang diketahui membawa kesan-kesan negative terhadap system saraf, pembiakan dan imuniti (daya ketahanan badan). Menurut laporan itu, Agensi Antarabangsa untuk Kajian Barah (IARC) mengklasifikasikan TCDD sebagai Kelas 1 penyebab barah manusia, misalnya barah testis, prostate dan buah dada.
4) Pembinaan insinerator ini masih di sebahagian kawasan cerun yang melebihi 25 darjah meskipun kawasan ini telah dikurangkan dari 9 ha ke 3 ha. Ini adalah bercanggah dengan pengumuman kabinet untuk memberhentikan pembangunan di kawasan cerun yang melebihi 25 darjah.
5) Oleh kerana tiada pusat pelupusan sampah (Landfill) di kawasan berhampiran projek insinerator untuk melupus abu-abu yang bertoksid (Toxic Fly Ash), maka beratus-ratus ton abu bertoksid setiap hari akan di hantarkan ke tempat lain untuk dilupuskan. Abu-abu yang mengandungi berbagai jumlah logam berat dan organic jejak termasuk Dioksin akan membahayakan kesihatan rakyat semasa ia dibawa keluar. Keadaan akan menjadi lebih serius lagi apabila berlaku kemalangan dalam perjalanan.
6) Tapak insinerator berada dalam kawasan pertanian (Agriculture Land) di mana ia merupakan tempat cari rezeki oleh penduduk-penduduk tempatan. Kebanyakan penduduk kampung sini kurang berpelajaran. Oleh itu, menoreh getah dan kerja pertanian seperti berkebun sayur, menternak ayam / ikan dan berkebun buah-buahan adalah satu-satu kemahiran mereka dan pendapatan (Income) mereka adalah di antara RM300 – RM600 sehari. Sekiranya projek ini dilaksanakan di sini, penduduk - penduduk Broga akan kehilangan kerja dan pendapatan harian mereka dan ini turut akan menggangu kehidupan mereka.
Oleh kerana sebab-sebab yang diterakan di atas, Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Alam Sekitar TIDAK BOLEH meluluskan tapak yang dicadangkan.
Kami mahu pembangunan tetapi kami TIDAK mahu projek yang membawa risiko yang begitu besar dan tidak setimpal dengan faedah yang diberikan. Kami menyeru agar kerajaan mempertimbangkan cara-cara alternatif yang lebih selamat dan sayang terhadap alam sekitar, misalnya recycling dan sanitary landfill. Ini kerana negara kita hanya mengitar-semula kurang dari 3% sampah kita, berbanding dengan Jepun yang megitar-semula 20%.
Sekian, kami berharap Jabatan Alam Sekitar akan utamakan alam sekitar dan kesihatan rakyat.
Yang benar,
Nama :
Tel:
E-mails of Malay papers:
pendapat@utusan.com.my, bh@bharian.com.my, bhnews@bharian.com.my, sazarina@bharian.com.my, bgns@bernama.com.my, farizwan@kosmo.com.my
Jabatan Alam Sekitar , Aras 3-7, Blok C4, Parcel C,
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan, 62662 Putrajaya.
e-mail: hri@doe.gov.my
Tuan/Puan,
Mengapa Projek Insinerator Broga Harus Dipertimbangkan:
Ulasan Ke Atas Laporan Tambahan EIA (Addendum EIA 2005)
Saya, sebagai rakyat Malaysia yang prihatin terhadap alam sekitar dan kesihatan rakyat, ingin membuat ulasan terhadap Laporan Tambahan EIA yang dikeluarkan baru-baru ini. Walaupun adanya sedikit kelebihan memindahkan tapak incinerator ke kawasan lebih rendah dan pamah (200m Tenggara dari tapak asal), akan tetapi masalah-masalah yang dihuraikan di Laporan EIA Terperinci Semenyih/Broga 2003 masih lagi belum dapat diselesaikan.
Misalnya:
1) Tapak insinerator terlalu hampir dengan kawasan perumahan dan Universiti of Nottingham. Seperti yang dinyatakan dalam Garis Panduan Perancangan Tapak Insinerator yang dikeluarkan oleh Jabatan Perancangan Bandar dan Desa (JPBD) Semenanjung Malaysia 1999 , oleh kerana Insinerator bersekil besar adalah jenis bersepadu di mana sisa pepejal dan sisa-sisa berjadual (toksid) diproses, Insinerator ini perlu ditempatkan jauh daripada orang awam. Jarak perlulah sekurang-kurang 50 km radius daripada kawasan keutamaan pembangunan.
Akan tetapi mengikut Laporan EIA Terperinci (DEIA 2003), terdapat 400,000 penduduk di dalam lingkungan 10km radius darip tapak insinerator. Kawasan perumahan terdekat ialah Taman Tasik Semenyih yang jauhnya hanya 1.99 km dari tapak incinerator. Cadangan projek ini benar-benar bercanggah dengan garis panduan demi keselamatan rakyat yang dikeluarkan oleh JPBD di bawah Kementrian Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan.
2) Tapak insinerator yang baru masih di dalam kawasan tadahan air iaitu di antara Sg Saringgit dan Sg Rinching dan kedua-kedua sungai ini adalah anak Sg Semenyih yang membekalkan air minuman kepada lebih daripada 1.5 juta penduduk di sekitar Lembah Kelang dan Selangor.
Air adalah hak kita semua. Jabatan Alam Sekitar harus memahami kepentingan sungai sebagai sumber air minuman kepada rakyat. Kami juga merujuk kepada janji Puan Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Alam Sekitar semasa penerangan kepada ketua-ketua kampung di Semenyih pada 2002 iaitu sekiranya kawasan projek insinerator adalah kawasan tadahan air, beliau adalah orang pertama yang akan membatalkan projek tersebut. Di samping itu, Menteri Besar Selangor juga telah berjanji bahawa kerajaan negeri tidak pernah membenarkan sebarang pembangunan di kawasan tadahan air. Oleh itu, kami menyeru Puan Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Alam Sekitar dan Menteri Besar Selangor menuraikan janji mereka memandangkan laporan EIA telah jelas menunjukkan tapak insinerator yang dicadangkan adalah kawasan tadahan air.
3) Tidak kira projek ini pindah ke mana, ia tetap akan melepaskan berbagai jenis gas semasa operasi loji. Gas-gas ini bukan sahaja merosakkan alam sekitar, ia juga akan membahayakan kesihatan manusia. Menurut Laporan EIA Terperinci 2003, penilaian utama pencemaran udara dari sisa incinerator ialah dioksin. Salah satu bahan kimia yang terkandung dalam dioksin adalah 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) yang diketahui membawa kesan-kesan negative terhadap system saraf, pembiakan dan imuniti (daya ketahanan badan). Menurut laporan itu, Agensi Antarabangsa untuk Kajian Barah (IARC) mengklasifikasikan TCDD sebagai Kelas 1 penyebab barah manusia, misalnya barah testis, prostate dan buah dada.
4) Pembinaan insinerator ini masih di sebahagian kawasan cerun yang melebihi 25 darjah meskipun kawasan ini telah dikurangkan dari 9 ha ke 3 ha. Ini adalah bercanggah dengan pengumuman kabinet untuk memberhentikan pembangunan di kawasan cerun yang melebihi 25 darjah.
5) Oleh kerana tiada pusat pelupusan sampah (Landfill) di kawasan berhampiran projek insinerator untuk melupus abu-abu yang bertoksid (Toxic Fly Ash), maka beratus-ratus ton abu bertoksid setiap hari akan di hantarkan ke tempat lain untuk dilupuskan. Abu-abu yang mengandungi berbagai jumlah logam berat dan organic jejak termasuk Dioksin akan membahayakan kesihatan rakyat semasa ia dibawa keluar. Keadaan akan menjadi lebih serius lagi apabila berlaku kemalangan dalam perjalanan.
6) Tapak insinerator berada dalam kawasan pertanian (Agriculture Land) di mana ia merupakan tempat cari rezeki oleh penduduk-penduduk tempatan. Kebanyakan penduduk kampung sini kurang berpelajaran. Oleh itu, menoreh getah dan kerja pertanian seperti berkebun sayur, menternak ayam / ikan dan berkebun buah-buahan adalah satu-satu kemahiran mereka dan pendapatan (Income) mereka adalah di antara RM300 – RM600 sehari. Sekiranya projek ini dilaksanakan di sini, penduduk - penduduk Broga akan kehilangan kerja dan pendapatan harian mereka dan ini turut akan menggangu kehidupan mereka.
Oleh kerana sebab-sebab yang diterakan di atas, Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Alam Sekitar TIDAK BOLEH meluluskan tapak yang dicadangkan.
Kami mahu pembangunan tetapi kami TIDAK mahu projek yang membawa risiko yang begitu besar dan tidak setimpal dengan faedah yang diberikan. Kami menyeru agar kerajaan mempertimbangkan cara-cara alternatif yang lebih selamat dan sayang terhadap alam sekitar, misalnya recycling dan sanitary landfill. Ini kerana negara kita hanya mengitar-semula kurang dari 3% sampah kita, berbanding dengan Jepun yang megitar-semula 20%.
Sekian, kami berharap Jabatan Alam Sekitar akan utamakan alam sekitar dan kesihatan rakyat.
Yang benar,
Nama :
Tel:
E-mails of Malay papers:
pendapat@utusan.com.my, bh@bharian.com.my, bhnews@bharian.com.my, sazarina@bharian.com.my, bgns@bernama.com.my, farizwan@kosmo.com.my
Letter of Protest (addendum EIA2005)
Director
Department of Environment , Aras 3-7, Blok C4, Parcel C,
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan, 62662 Putrajaya.
e-mail: hri@doe.gov.my
Dear Madam,
Why the Broga Incinerator Project Must Be Reconsidered:
Comments on the Addendum EIA 2005
As a Malaysian citizen who is concerned about the environment and health of the rakyat, I would like to comment on the Appendum EIA that was released for public feedback recently. There appears to be some improvements with regards to decrease in soil erosion and sedimentation in the new site (shifted 200 m South East from the original site), however, what is worrying is that the problems highlighted in the Detailed EIA for Broga/Semenyih 2003 have not been resolved.
For instance,
1) The incinerator site is too close to residential areas and the University of Notthingam. According to the Planning Guidelines for Incinerator Site 1999 , published by the Town and Rural Planning Department Peninsular Malaysia, large scale incinerators where toxic waste and solids are combined and processed, they should be sited far away from public places. The distance should be at least 50 km radius from sites of major development.
However, according to the Detailed EIA 2003, there are 400,000 people living within a 10 km radius from the planned incinerator site. The closest housing area is Taman Tasik Semenyih and Kampung Broga which are merely 2 km away from the site. The planned project is definitely in conflict with the planning guidelines from the Ministry of Housing and Local Government which published the 1999 guidelines, evidently for the safety of the public.
2) The new site is still within a water catchment area, i.e, between Sg Saringgit and Sg. Rinching, and both these small rivers feed into Sg Semenyoh which provides drinking water to more than 1.5 million people in the Klang Valley and Selangor including Bangsar, Petaling Jaya, Puchong and parts of Shah Alam.
Clean water is our right and the Department of Environment (DOE) should understand the importance of clean rivers as a source of drinking water for the people. The incinerator must not be built in a water catchment area, as have been promised to us by the Director of DOE and the Menteri Besar of Selangor.
3) No matter where the incinerator is located, it is well documented throughout the world that incinerators release toxic gases during operation. According to the Detailed EIA 2003, the main emissions from incinerators are dioxins, a group of chemicals that is known to be carcinogenic.
The report also acknowledges that the most poisonous is 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) that is known to affect the nervous system, reproductive and immune system. The International Agency for Research onCancer (IARC) classifies TCDD as a Class 1 cancer causing agent, for instance, testicular, prostate and breast cancers.
4) Although it is moved to a new site, a portion of the site is still on slopes of more than 25 degrees, a reduction from 9 ha to 3 ha. This is clearly in conflict with the cabinet's announcement since the Highland Tower's tragedy, that development at slopes of more than 25 degrees should not be allowed. To built an incinerator on hill slopes and in a water catchment area is asking for trouble.
5) As there is no site for landfill nearby the planned incinerator to contain the Toxic Fly Ash, tonnes of ash would have to be transported to another location. This toxic ash that contains various heavy metals and inorganic traces including Dioxins will endanger the health of people living along the routes of trucks carrying the ash. In the event of accidents, the result would be catastrophic.
6) The incinerator is built on agricultural land. The local people depend on the land for their livelihoods. Most people in the area tap rubber, grow vegetables, tend orchards, farm fish and rear chickens. If this project goes ahead, they will loose their source of income and their work and lives will be disrupted. Food production, most of which is sent to Kuala Lumpur for sale, will stand the risk of contamination with an incinerator that is built so close by.
For the above reasons, the Director of the DOE, CANNOT approve the incinerator project.
We want development, but we DO NOT want a project that brings such high hazards and risks for such little benefits. We urge the government to find alternative means that are safer and more environmental friendly, for instance, recycling and sanitary landfill to manage Klang Valley's mounting trash. Malaysia is only recycling less than 3% of our waste, and we are already opting for the biggest incinerator of its type in Asia, compared to Japan that is recycling 20%.
We hope that the DOE will have the environment and the health of the rakyat in mind before they consider the project.
Yours Sincerely,
____________________________
Name:
Tel:
Address:
E-mails of English papers:
letters@nstp.com.my , mailbag@nstp.com.my , mmnews@nstp.com.my , editor@thestar.com.my, letters@thesundaily.com , editor@malaysiakini.com
Department of Environment , Aras 3-7, Blok C4, Parcel C,
Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan, 62662 Putrajaya.
e-mail: hri@doe.gov.my
Dear Madam,
Why the Broga Incinerator Project Must Be Reconsidered:
Comments on the Addendum EIA 2005
As a Malaysian citizen who is concerned about the environment and health of the rakyat, I would like to comment on the Appendum EIA that was released for public feedback recently. There appears to be some improvements with regards to decrease in soil erosion and sedimentation in the new site (shifted 200 m South East from the original site), however, what is worrying is that the problems highlighted in the Detailed EIA for Broga/Semenyih 2003 have not been resolved.
For instance,
1) The incinerator site is too close to residential areas and the University of Notthingam. According to the Planning Guidelines for Incinerator Site 1999 , published by the Town and Rural Planning Department Peninsular Malaysia, large scale incinerators where toxic waste and solids are combined and processed, they should be sited far away from public places. The distance should be at least 50 km radius from sites of major development.
However, according to the Detailed EIA 2003, there are 400,000 people living within a 10 km radius from the planned incinerator site. The closest housing area is Taman Tasik Semenyih and Kampung Broga which are merely 2 km away from the site. The planned project is definitely in conflict with the planning guidelines from the Ministry of Housing and Local Government which published the 1999 guidelines, evidently for the safety of the public.
2) The new site is still within a water catchment area, i.e, between Sg Saringgit and Sg. Rinching, and both these small rivers feed into Sg Semenyoh which provides drinking water to more than 1.5 million people in the Klang Valley and Selangor including Bangsar, Petaling Jaya, Puchong and parts of Shah Alam.
Clean water is our right and the Department of Environment (DOE) should understand the importance of clean rivers as a source of drinking water for the people. The incinerator must not be built in a water catchment area, as have been promised to us by the Director of DOE and the Menteri Besar of Selangor.
3) No matter where the incinerator is located, it is well documented throughout the world that incinerators release toxic gases during operation. According to the Detailed EIA 2003, the main emissions from incinerators are dioxins, a group of chemicals that is known to be carcinogenic.
The report also acknowledges that the most poisonous is 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) that is known to affect the nervous system, reproductive and immune system. The International Agency for Research onCancer (IARC) classifies TCDD as a Class 1 cancer causing agent, for instance, testicular, prostate and breast cancers.
4) Although it is moved to a new site, a portion of the site is still on slopes of more than 25 degrees, a reduction from 9 ha to 3 ha. This is clearly in conflict with the cabinet's announcement since the Highland Tower's tragedy, that development at slopes of more than 25 degrees should not be allowed. To built an incinerator on hill slopes and in a water catchment area is asking for trouble.
5) As there is no site for landfill nearby the planned incinerator to contain the Toxic Fly Ash, tonnes of ash would have to be transported to another location. This toxic ash that contains various heavy metals and inorganic traces including Dioxins will endanger the health of people living along the routes of trucks carrying the ash. In the event of accidents, the result would be catastrophic.
6) The incinerator is built on agricultural land. The local people depend on the land for their livelihoods. Most people in the area tap rubber, grow vegetables, tend orchards, farm fish and rear chickens. If this project goes ahead, they will loose their source of income and their work and lives will be disrupted. Food production, most of which is sent to Kuala Lumpur for sale, will stand the risk of contamination with an incinerator that is built so close by.
For the above reasons, the Director of the DOE, CANNOT approve the incinerator project.
We want development, but we DO NOT want a project that brings such high hazards and risks for such little benefits. We urge the government to find alternative means that are safer and more environmental friendly, for instance, recycling and sanitary landfill to manage Klang Valley's mounting trash. Malaysia is only recycling less than 3% of our waste, and we are already opting for the biggest incinerator of its type in Asia, compared to Japan that is recycling 20%.
We hope that the DOE will have the environment and the health of the rakyat in mind before they consider the project.
Yours Sincerely,
____________________________
Name:
Tel:
Address:
E-mails of English papers:
letters@nstp.com.my , mailbag@nstp.com.my , mmnews@nstp.com.my , editor@thestar.com.my, letters@thesundaily.com , editor@malaysiakini.com
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