A Selangor state representative today accused opposition politicians of inciting the residents of Broga a small town 40 km south of Kuala Lumpur to oppose the RM1.5 billion controversial mega-incinerator project proposed in Semenyih.

Beranang state assemblyperson Ahmad Kuris Md Noor claimed that a majority of those behind the protest were from the DAP and PAS.

"I counted many DAP and even PAS people at the so-called residents' gathering (on Dec 29). To my knowledge, very few locals are truly opposed to the idea," he said when contacted.

He also disputed the reported number of people who had gathered in Semenyih on Dec 29 in a show of protest against the incinerator, saying there were "only 200, and not 7,000 as reported by a local TV station".

Ahmad Kuris also expressed disappointment that the residents did not approach him for an explanation or to air their grievances.

"I warned them (residents) not to let outsiders politicise the issue. I've also made it clear to them that if they choose to politicise the issue or let others do so, then I will fight them to the end. We will not let the opposition interfere in our area."

Job opportunities

A Bernama report on Dec 29 stated that about 2,000 residents held a peaceful demonstration at Taman Tasik Semenyih against the proposed project, where the Broga/Semenyih residents action protem committee had announced their plan to send a memorandum to Prime Minister Dr Mahahtir Mohamad and Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo.

Ahmad Kuris also said that as a local state representative, it was his duty to ensure that his constituents were not left behind in terms of development.

"The incinerator spells development for our area because it creates job and business opportunities for the rural folks around here. I have a duty to ensure that my constituents benefit from it."

He also insisted that the federal government's decision to relocate the incinerator was due to "the unsuitability of the location in Puchong and not because of pressure from locals there as widely believed".

The giant plant funded by a RM2 billion soft loan from the Japanese government has been touted as Asia's, even the world's, largest at a maximum capacity of treating 1,500 tonnes of waste per day.

Following a well-organised campaign by Puchong residents, the cabinet decided on Nov 23 to re-site the plant to Broga.

The residents had resorted to setting up a website, obtained more than 135,000 signatures and threatened to vote for the opposition.

The previous site of Kampung Bohol, Puchong, affected an estimated one million constituents of six parliamentary constituencies, five of them controlled by the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN).

Public campaign

Commenting on local support, Ahmad Kuris was confident of getting grassroots leaders such as village heads and that of BN component parties to endorse the proposed project.

"Furthermore, what is there to protest? This is only the first among many the government is building in the country. Incinerators have also been planned in Rawang and Sabak Bernam."

The Sun today reported Housing and Local Government Minister Ong Ka Ting as saying that the Selangor government will launch a public campaign to explain "what incinerators are all about".

Reportedly promising transparency and cooperation from the state government, Ong was quoted giving his assurance that "all concerns will be addressed".

Meanwhile, in response to malaysiakini's queries, a spokesperson for the University of Nottingham in Malaysia said they were continuing to monitor the situation before deciding on the next move.

The university's fourth campus and its first outside of the UK will be built in an area named Mutiara Putra, about 4km from Semenyih, near Broga.

A joint venture between UK's University of Nottingham, Boustead Holdings Berhad, a subsidiary of the Armed Forces Superannuation Fund (LTAT) and YTL Corporation Bhd, the campus is to be built on a 40-ha site and scheduled to open in September 2005.

It can accommodate 2,500 students for 18 graduate and post-graduate courses in business, engineering and computer science. At present the university's temporary campus is located in Kuala Lumpur.