SHAH ALAM, Sept 21 — Residents opposing the proposed waste-to-energy (WTE) plant in Batu Arang, Selangor, are seeking public donations to fund possible legal action following the approval of the project's latest environmental impact assessment (EIA) report.
Jaringan Rawang Tolak Insinerator (JRTI) spokesperson Abdul Hanan Abd Mokti said the group estimated it would need at least RM100,000 to support its efforts, including possible legal proceedings.
“We are discussing potential legal action with a law firm.
“This could involve filing a judicial review against the approved EIA report, challenging the land rezoning by the Selayang Municipal Council or contesting the state government's decision to amend our local plan for the WTE plant.
“The RM100,000 estimate is based on other legal cases in the past,” he said at a press conference, as reported by Star Metro.
The Environment Department (DOE) reportedly approved the sixth version of the EIA report in July.
Abdul Hanan said the group had sent 13 letters to the DOE since October last year but had yet to receive a response or details about the EIA approval and proposed safeguards.
He also questioned the authorities' mitigation plans in the event of air pollution or geological instability linked to the WTE plant.
Also present at the press conference was Selayang MP William Leong, who urged the DOE to make the approved EIA report public.
“When the first EIA report was publicised, we raised our concerns about building a WTE plant on a former coal mine and the risks of underground fire.
“Have these concerns been addressed? Can the authorities assure residents that the project is risk-free? If not, what is the level of risk?” he asked.
Leong said he would raise the matter in Parliament.
The WTE project, officially known as the Sultan Idris Shah Green Energy Plant, is a joint initiative by KDEB Waste Management (KDEBWM) and YTL Power Generation.
Previously, Media Selangor reported that WTE technology is viewed as a long-term solution for managing Selangor's daily waste, which is expected to grow by about 6 per cent annually.
KDEBWM managing director Dato' Ramli Mohd Tahir said the state government was adopting what it considered the best approach, as traditional landfill methods were no longer sustainable due to land constraints and rising costs.
