Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan today rubbished opposition claims that the proposed Taman Beringin incinerator may pose pollution danger to nearby residents.   

Claiming it is common knowledge that safe waste-to-energy plants already exist, Rahman called on Serdang MP Ong Kian Ming to try "Googling" it or to simply visit Japan.   

"You go to Japan, it's just next door to schools and hospitals.    

"If anybody tells you, you can't build an incinerator next to a gas station, I think they are telling lies," Rahman ( right ) told reporters in Gombak after visiting a new construction materials dump for Kuala Lumpur builders.   

Citing a local university study, DAP's Ong yesterday said the waste plant would be a hazard as it planned to be built at a distance less than the required 500 metres away from petrol stations and housing estates.

Rahman also rebutted this study, which he said may be outdated.

"Do a little bit of Google lah, guys...   

"The government cannot operate based on rumours and unfounded allegations, otherwise we can't run the country," Rahman, who is the MP for Kota Belud, said.   

He gave his assurance to the people that the waste plant, which is likely be tendered out and built later this year, would definitely meet the requirements of the Department of Environment.

He also said he would not entertain "people with ulterior motives".

Minister: The further away, the costlier it gets

The minister said he understood the "not in my own backyard syndrome" that made thousands of Jinjang Utara and Kepong residents fume since last year when ministry's incinerator plant plans were revealed.

But he argued that the gazetted rubbish transfer location at Taman Beringin was the most cost effective.

Hence, the government will not budge for the sake of the welfare of millions of Klang Valley residents, unless the Department of Environment (DOE) study states a plant there would be unhealthy.

"If the leaders of DAP feel we need to do this somewhere else, convince the people to pay more. The further we go, the more costly it is," Abdul Rahman said.

He cited that when Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) wanted to raise assessment rates this year, people also protested.

Meanwhile, National Solid Waste Department's director Nadzri Yahaya ( right ), who was with the minister, said that DOE's position was that an incinerator plant should have a buffer zone of 350m but exceptions were allowed if the latest technology used posed no danger of pollution.

Also, he added, that the plant could be located next to residents if the chimney, or point of emission, was a safe distance away.