Government-appointed consultant Perunding Utama Sdn Bhd has rebutted an allegation that it has a conflict of interest in conducting the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study for the multi-billion ringgit incinerator project proposed in Broga, near Semenyih.

The Semenyih/Broga No Incinerator protem action committee had alleged that Perunding Utama was associated with two other companies in the same business.

'No connections'

Questions about the consultant's independence and objectivity formed part of the comments submitted to the Department of Environment (DOE) on the terms of reference for a detailed EIA study on the proposed 1,500-tonne thermal waste treatment plant.

Following a dialogue with the committee in Semenyih recently, Perunding Utama managing director Peter Ho said his company had no connection with any other company with regards to the study.

"The two companies named by the group - Envitech Sdn Bhd and Motherwell Bridge Group - have nothing to do with us," said Ho who is the project director and technical assessor for the detailed EIA study.

"If they (protem action committee) had done a search (of company records), they would have known this."

Health concerns

The committee had also refrained from participating in Perunding Utama's socio-economic survey due to doubts over the methodology used.

The committee, which claims to represent 400,000 residents in Broga, Kajang, Semenyih and Beranang, declared that it had no faith in the ongoing EIA study, which it felt, was a waste of time and taxpayers' money.

Perunding Utama has conducted meetings with different interest groups over the last few weeks, including residents, housing developers, farmers and other communities within the study area.

Ho said the dialogues on the socio-impact assessment aspect of the detailed EIA study has thus far been dominated by fears over health concerns. The study is expected to be completed by the end of the month.

"The perception that dioxin is very dangerous and a threat to public health is still strong. But it is more important for people to understand that there has been technological evolution," he said.

He said most of the (scientific) studies used to argue against incinerator projects "are based on studies of old technology from 20 to 30 years ago".

"In our EIA study, we also need to review the technological changes that has taken place over the years before concluding one way or the other," added Ho.

Parallel facility

Meanwhile, sources in the DOE told malaysiakini that a sanitary landfill is being planned adjacent to the proposed incinerator to handle the trash and ash generated by the incinerator plant.

The terms of reference for the sanitary landfill project are expected to be out soon for public feedback.

In April, residents had raised concerns over land clearing activities and the construction of a heavy-duty concrete bridge in Kampung Pasir, near Broga.

Semenyih headman Mustafa Ibrahim, asked about the bridge after the dialogue session, denied that it was meant to serve the incinerator project.

"The bridge is for the village. They need one because the previous one was too old," he said.

"How can they (protem action committee) claim that it is for the incinerator project when they don't know the facts?"

Asked why villagers would need a big concrete bridge, he said he was only aware of state approval for construction. He declined to elaborate when pressed for details.