The new site for the controversial RM1.5 billion incinerator which has been relocated from Kampung Bohol, Puchong, is a 'cowboy' town 10km from Semenyih and 40km south of Kuala Lumpur.

As far as first impressions go, Broga is quiet and peaceful with fresh air and greenery surrounded by hillocks and forest reserves which form part of the water catchment network around the Semenyih Dam.

The dam is a storage facility mainly for supplying water to the Klang Valley.

Last week, Housing and Local Government Minister Ong Ka Ting confirmed the Cabinet decision to relocate the plant with a lifespan of 20 years to Broga.

This was prompted by the intense pressure from residents in and around Puchong.

But now there are concerns as to the possibility of dioxin contamination in the water reservoir or ground water.

Dioxin is the main toxic emission from incinerators or any combustion process and a known cancer-causing agent.

Studies show that there are approximately 200 known forms of dioxin.

Since Ong's announcement, there have been concerns whether it is possible for dioxin contamination to occur through rainwater in the catchment area around the dam.

Minimal risk

Echoing the opinion of technical experts in the panel advising the federal government previously, Beranang state assemblyperson Ahamad Kuris Mohd Nor said today that whatever emission released would be way below international standards and thus, negligible.

Experts claim the proposed plant has a one percent emission rate.

"Based on the briefing by Worldwide (Sita Environmental Management Sdn Bhd), the proposed plant does not pose any danger to residents or the environment because it uses the latest technology," he said when contacted..

"Anyway, the Cabinet has already made its decision and as a Barisan Nasional elected representative, I have to agree with it," he added.

Asked if he was concerned about the health risks posed by the incinerator, he said there was nothing to worry about.

"The dam is about 15 to 20km away from the proposed site," he said, adding that other developed countries all have incinerators and that it was "just our culture not to be open to such a technology".

He also said that the proposed 20ha plant, was sited on a 120ha land which belongs to the Selangor Economic Development Corporation, the state investment arm.

Worldwide, which manages the Puchong sanitary landfill, is jointly in charge of the RM1.5 billion proposed plant using the latest Japanese technology together with the SEDC.

Ahamad said the earmarked area for the proposed plant was between Broga and Taman Tasik Semenyih, a small housing estate with half-abandoned bungalow units about 4km from Semenyih.

"At the moment, less than 3,000 people live in the area but there will be more in five years' time when projects like the Nottingham University campus is completed.

"I have also set up a committee comprising political party representatives and non-governmental organisations to communicate our wishes to the state government, such as an improved infrastructure," he said.

The Selangor side, which is where the proposed 1,500-tonne capacity thermal incinerator is sited, comes under the Beranang state seat held by Ahamad of Umno.

Laidback town

A visit to Broga by malaysiakini last week revealed a laidback town with only one traffic light, a police station, a Chinese and a Tamil primary school. There were no government or private clinics and no post office.

In fact, the only bus service by Foh Hup Omnibus Co Bhd, was terminated in April when the company went bust.

Since then, residents have to either find alternate transport or fork out RM20 for the 8km-taxi ride to the main Semenyih road, where they will be able to catch a bus to town.

Locals said they were having a tough time settling utility bills and attending to other matters as the nearest post office was in Lenggeng, 7km away or in Seremban (34km).

Broga sits on the border of Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, more of it in the latter. The main local commercial activity is rubber tapping and there is also a commercial-size Thai chicken farm.