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The 100 'squatter' families living within the vicinity of a proposed thermal incinerator project in Kampung Bohol, Puchong, have all agreed to be relocated, paving the way for work to proceed by year's end..

These 'squatters' are descendants of tin miners who had worked in the area decades ago. City Hall placed the miners' families in longhouses as part of a deal struck with the workers before the mines were closed.

MAB Environmental Consultants Sdn Bhd principal Dr M A Badri, who conducted the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study, said the residents had responded positively to the idea of relocation.

"We had given the families a set of questions as part of the socio-economic survey component of our EIA study, and they were all in favour of being moved elsewhere," he said during a press briefing on the project at the Housing and Local Government Ministry today.

"Based on our assessment, these people do not fall within the hardcore poor but their living conditions certainly need improvement."

Badri said a random assessment was also done on the operators of a number of illegal factories located within the project site.

'No adverse impact'

Chaired by minister Ong Ka Ting, the media briefing was apparently aimed at dispelling doubts raised in recent months, especially by non-governmental organisations and "concerned citizens".

Ong said the ministry would need one week to resolve all remaining issues related to the relocation exercise.

The briefing was interspersed with Ong's assurances that the government had done everything necessary to ensure that the project was viable in all aspects and not a hazard to the environment.

Early last month, a group of residents in and around Puchong held a gathering to protest the proposal to build an incinerator within the vicinity of their homes, claiming that they were not informed of the government's decision.

They were concerned about possible serious health repercussions which they believe will affect those living within a 5km radius, covering Puchong, Old Klang Road, Bandar Sunway and adjacent parts of Petaling Jaya.

The experts, including Badri, gave their assurance that there was nothing to worry about over the Puchong project as it had a buffer zone of 500 metres, and will be without smoke, smell or toxic emissions.

"In arriving at this decision, particular attention was paid in ensuring that the project does not induce any adverse environmental, social and health impacts on the surrounding communities," were the concluding remarks in a brief outline of the project.

Technical details

The briefing provided reasons for the government's decision to opt for the gasification and ash-melting technology, one of four thermal treatment technologies available, for treating waste generated within the southern part of Kuala Lumpur.

The plant is also capable of generating about 30 megawatts of electricity, which can supply power to 20,000 to 30,000 houses.

A high-powered technical panel was also at hand to field questions during the briefing which covered the thermal technology to be employed, the working mechanism as well as the projected emission levels.

This was followed by a slide presentation showing aerial shots of several thermal plants located right in the middle of Tokyo and others which were located about six metres away from residential areas.

The EIA report was approved by the Department of Environment in February last year while construction is expected to start by the end of this year. The scheduled completion date is 2007.

The project is to be managed by a consortium of consultants, namely Tokyo-based Yachiyo Engineering Co Ltd, Minconsult Sdn Bhd, HSS Integrated Sdn Bhd and Environmental and Engineering Consultants Sdn Bhd.

However, the tender for the main contract has yet to be awarded.

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