Broga residents affected by the proposed 1,500-tonne incinerator project near Semenyih have received assurance from the prime minister's office - via the newly-established Reduce Red Tape Initiative - that their plight will be looked into.

On Nov 28, a group of Kampung Baru Broga residents sent an e-mail to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi following his call for the public to "tell him the truth" in an effort to cut down on administrative red-tape.

The reply, in English and Bahasa Malaysia, informed residents that their complaint would be channelled to the relevant government departments and agencies for action, where necessary.

It said that although the main aim was to invite suggestions on how to reduce red-tape and improve administrative procedures, the initiative has also received a sizeable number of complaints and appeals.

"We will forward these complaints and appeals to the appropriate agencies and request that action (if warranted) be taken quickly," stated the reply to the residents.

The PM's office appealed for "reasonable time for all parties to resolve the matter".

"We will track the rate of resolutions to the best of our abilities. Nevertheless, please highlight this issue again if you feel, for any reason, that your case is unresolved."

Previous letters unheeded

A series of appeal letters to Housing and Local Government Minister Ong Ka Ting, including numerous requests for him to dialogue with Broga residents, has gone unheeded.

Since last year, Broga residents have sent appeal letters to then premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and his then deputy Abdullah, to halt the controversial project which has drawn a barrage of criticism from local and international advocates of alternative waste disposal methods.

The detailed environmental impact assessment report for the Broga incinerator is currently being reviewed by the Department of Environment and is expected to be completed by the year end.

International scientists have also noted that Malaysia lacked the necessary laws to regulate and monitor levels of dioxin, the most toxic emission from incineration, thus exposing the local population to air pollution and water contamination.

The controversial Broga project has thrust Japan's Ebara Corporation, which won the contract to design and build the plant using zero emission gasification technology, into the limelight for alleged financial scandals at home.

The government has refused to comment on the matter until the DOE reaches a final decision on the EIA report.