Poor handling fuels stop mega incinerator action
Published: Sep 27, 2014 5:21 PM | Updated: Sep 27, 2014 10:26 PM
A coalition of anti-incinerator groups today urged an immediate stop to several mega incinerators in the works nationwide amid concerns over the authorities’ inability to manage them properly.
A coalition of anti-incinerator groups today urged an immediate stop to several mega incinerators in the works nationwide amid concerns over the authorities’ inability to manage them properly.
The National Anti-Incinerator Coalition (Gaik) said the current poor management of a much smaller incinerator on Pulau Pangkor does not bode well for other upcoming incinerators.
"If they are not capable to manage a small capacity incinerator like this, how are they going to manage incinerators more than ten-fold that capacity," it said in a statement today.
The joint statement also included endorsement by Serdang MP Ong Kian Ming, PAS environmental bureau chief Zulkefly Mohamad Omar, and Pantai Remis DAP state assemblyperson Wong May Ing.
These upcoming incinerators between 800 to 100 tonnes are planned for Kepong in Kuala Lumpur as well as Malacca, Negri Sembilan and Johor.
The coalition, which visited the 20-tonne capacity Pangkor incinerator on Sept 15, said it found several "weaknesses" in management and compliance of environmental regulations which were also previously highlighted in the Auditor-General's Report 2012.
Gaik, in its findings, found the drainage system at the waste collection area to be clogged and leachate absorbed into surrounding area, causing heavy metal and toxic pollution.
It added that the separation of different waste types was improperly done which may result in toxic material such as battery, light bulbs and other electronic equipment, to be burnt together with normal waste.
Furthermore, it said the mandatory temperature for burning of between 850 degrees Celcius to 1,000 degrees Celcius was not met, thus producing dioxin gas which can cause cancer.
Gaik also questioned Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan's study trip to Japan in July where his entourage "coincidentally" visited the Suginami plant owned by Hitachi Zosen Corp, which is in a joint venture with Puncah Niaga Holdings Bhd to bid for the Kepong incinerator.
Gaik comprises Selamatkan Bukit Payong, Gabungan Anti-Insinerator Cameron Highlands, Jawatankuasa Bertindak Kuala Lumpur Tak Nak Insinerator and the Tanah Merah anti-incinerator committee.
The National Anti-Incinerator Coalition (Gaik) said the current poor management of a much smaller incinerator on Pulau Pangkor does not bode well for other upcoming incinerators.
"If they are not capable to manage a small capacity incinerator like this, how are they going to manage incinerators more than ten-fold that capacity," it said in a statement today.The joint statement also included endorsement by Serdang MP Ong Kian Ming, PAS environmental bureau chief Zulkefly Mohamad Omar, and Pantai Remis DAP state assemblyperson Wong May Ing.
These upcoming incinerators between 800 to 100 tonnes are planned for Kepong in Kuala Lumpur as well as Malacca, Negri Sembilan and Johor.
The coalition, which visited the 20-tonne capacity Pangkor incinerator on Sept 15, said it found several "weaknesses" in management and compliance of environmental regulations which were also previously highlighted in the Auditor-General's Report 2012.
Gaik, in its findings, found the drainage system at the waste collection area to be clogged and leachate absorbed into surrounding area, causing heavy metal and toxic pollution.
It added that the separation of different waste types was improperly done which may result in toxic material such as battery, light bulbs and other electronic equipment, to be burnt together with normal waste.
Furthermore, it said the mandatory temperature for burning of between 850 degrees Celcius to 1,000 degrees Celcius was not met, thus producing dioxin gas which can cause cancer.
Gaik also questioned Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan's study trip to Japan in July where his entourage "coincidentally" visited the Suginami plant owned by Hitachi Zosen Corp, which is in a joint venture with Puncah Niaga Holdings Bhd to bid for the Kepong incinerator.
Gaik comprises Selamatkan Bukit Payong, Gabungan Anti-Insinerator Cameron Highlands, Jawatankuasa Bertindak Kuala Lumpur Tak Nak Insinerator and the Tanah Merah anti-incinerator committee.
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