Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said today that the government had already decided to cancel the construction of the Broga incinerator last year due to its high cost to build and maintain.

"The studies showed that the Broga incinerator system, which costs more than RM1.5 billion, is very expensive," the Star quoted him as saying today.

He said the decision was reached at a meeting he chaired with Housing and Local Government Minister Ong Ka Ting last year.

He added the decision was not made due to protest or court action by the residents.

He said the government would now consider alternatives like the sanitary landfill system in Bukit Tagar.

Cost-effective systems

The government, Najib said, will look into other more cost-effective systems with proven technology, adding that government projects should also take into account safety and environmental considerations.

In developed nations, the use of incinerators was a viable choice but it added to the tax burden of the people.

The residents of Broga yesterday celebrated the end of their four-year battle against the project when they received a confirmation letter by the government that the project was terminated.

However, the letter did not state the reason for the termination.

Following the cancellation, the residents also decided to discontinue their suit against demanding the full disclosure of the project.

BROGA INCINERATOR: Victory at last!