The Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), an international anti-incinerator coalition, is disappointed with the government's move to proceed with the RM1.5 billion project in Broga, near Semenyih, despite continuing protests from local residents.

GAIA spokesperson Abigail Gay Z Jabinez said the local community will be forced to bear the cost of building the 1,500-tonne capacity plant.

In February 2003, the government awarded the contract to design, build and operate the plant to Japanese engineering giant Ebara Corp, a company reportedly implicated in corruption probes and has a bad track record at home.

"If the project is on, it is very disappointing because the community will shoulder the burden, environmentally, socially and health-wise," she said when met at a two-day national conference on sustainability in Kuala Lumpur.

"Incinerator sellers are exporting their technology to developing markets because their own people, like in Japan, are opposing such waste disposal methods, opting for zero waste initiatives instead."

The government placed additional conditions to ensure compliance with environmental standards in approving the mammoth incinerator which is touted as the world's largest to use Japan's zero emission technology.

Not too late

But local residents, comprising middle, upper-middle class and villagers nearby formed the Semenyih/Broga No Incinerator pro tem action committee to protest against the siting of the plant.

The Kampung Broga sub-committee in particular has been very active and vocal in articulating their contention that the whole environmental impact assessment and project approval are seriously flawed and shrouded in secrecy.

Somehow Jabinez felt optimistic about the committee's determination to stop the project.

"Until something concrete goes up in Broga, it's still not too late to stop the whole thing. Hopefully, the plight of the local community would be considered," she said.

"It is disheartening to hear that the government who is supposed to protect its citizens is doing this, especially it is the only safeguard against fouling technologies."

She also warned about wolf in sheep's clothing when referring to present-day incinerator sellers.

"Increasingly alarming is the fact that incinerators are being disguised as landfills, resource recovery or waste-to-energy plant."

S Mageswari from the Consumer Association of Penang, a GAIA member, said the export of incineration technology is also being done locally.

"Even our own incinerator companies are trying to penetrate the middle-east markets such as Jeddah as well as other less developed countries."

Penang state recycling co-ordinator Dr Ong Hean Tee in supporting the anti-incinerator stance, said the future path to take is recycling and zero waste methods.

"We believe the gaseous emissions are dioxin-free and it's the ash that is toxic. (But) any incinerator is a waste of resources."

Still cannot see PM

The government has reportedly identified Sarawak, Johor, Selangor and Penang to build incinerators in the next few years because they are considered rich states. The Broga plant is scheduled for operations in 2007.

The integrated municipal solid waste management bill, which will regulate the entire industry, is pending in Parliament.

The Broga sub-committee has been trying to present their case to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi after submitting several memorandum and letters but have yet to receive any favourable response.

Yesterday, the group sought to see him but left Putrajaya disappointed after failing to even see the prime minister's political secretary Dr Vincent Lim who has been liaising with them.

On June 30, a suit filed on Nov 8, 2003, seeking an order to compel the government to divulge project details will be heard by the Shah Alam High Court.