The residents action committee opposed to the controversial multi-billion ringgit incinerator plant proposed in Broga, near Semenyih, are upset with a cabinet minister over remarks he reportedly made about the safety aspects of the Japanese technology.

On Dec 11, the New Straits Times quoted Science, Technology and Environment Minister Law Hieng Ding as saying that Japan's zero emission gasification technology was "absolutely safe" and that the Japanese would not have built incinerators if they thought the technology was dangerous.

No Incinerator Broga/Semenyih protem action committee chairperson Prof P Ramasamy was doubtful of Law's intentions in showing full support for the controversial project.

"Our committee wishes to express utter disappointment and dismay over your statement expressing your opinion and level of knowledge over this controversial mega-project," he said in a letter sent to the minister on Dec 24.

"We strongly oppose your statement and do not agree that incinerators are absolutely safe as it has been shown in many advanced western countries, including Japan, that the emission of dioxin and other toxins from incinerators are extremely harmful to humans."

Sincerity doubted

Ramasamy said dioxin was well-known as a cancer-causing agent as noted by the World Health Organisation, the European Commission and related international bodies.

"We do not wish to debate the issue here as you, no doubt, have many 'scientists and experts' under your ministry to advise you on this safety aspect.

"We, however, seriously doubt your sincerity in handling this issue as you have on many occasions repeatedly stated over the mass media that you favour such a mega-project."

He said such remarks only reflected Law's ignorance on the numerous reported malfunctions and toxic gas emissions from the latest and most advanced gasification incinerators in Japan, including plants built by Ebara Corp.

Ebara has been awarded the contract to design and build the 1,500-capacity plant, touted as the largest of its kind in the world, amid protests from locals residing in 25 residential areas in and around the site.

Ramasamy said Law's remarks were "more worrying" as it tantamount to preempting the decision of the Department of Environment in reviewing the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report.

"It smacks of political bullying of a professional government department in its conduct of a professional job and rightful duty to the country and the people."

The final EIA report is expected to be released within the next two weeks, a department official said when contacted today.

Better options

He hoped the decision-makers are not influenced by such official remarks as it would be a "serious dereliction of duty" if they failed to consider the human and economic burden as well as the subsequent high maintenance and logistical costs.

"We sincerely hope that the cabinet takes a holistic view of the waste disposal problem in our country and seriously considers and implements better options such as recycling and zero waste methods, starting from the design and manufacture of goods to reduction of waste at source.

"A solution that is not harmful to people and which costs a fraction of the outmoded incineration solution would be widely supported by the people. We are ready to pilot the recycling effort at our taman (housing areas) any time."

Ramasamy said the protem committee, since it was set up more than a year ago, will continue to oppose the project on grounds that it is in a water catchment area serving millions in the Klang Valley and within an area gazetted by Selangor as environmentally-sensitive.

He said the siting of the proposed plant 60km away from areas which generate the most garbage was also logistically and economically impractical.

The plant is slated for operations in 2007.

The protem action committee has persistently opposed the project, backing its arguments with facts and figures released by international scientists. The absence of related laws is another point used against the project.

The committee also sent copies of the letter to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Housing and Local Government Minister Ong Ka Ting, Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo and DOE director-general Rosnani Ibarahim.