updated version

The Malaysian government, relenting to public pressure, has agreed to relocate the controversial RM1.5 billion thermal incinerator to Broga, a small town near Semenyih about 40km south of Kuala Lumpur.

Several highly-placed sources in the Housing and Local Government Ministry said the decision was made at yesterday's Cabinet meeting. A formal announcement on the relocation is expected soon.

Meanwhile the national news agency Bernama today quoted Housing and Local Government Minister Ong Ka Ting as saying that the relocation was due to protest from residents although the incinerator uses the latest Japanese gasitification technology which has been proven to be safe

Sources told malaysiakini the decision to relocate the incinerator was made after authorities failed to reach a compromise with the residents in Puchong and surrounding areas who did not want the incinerator in their backyard even if capacity was reduced from1,500 tonnes to 600 tonnes of waste per day.

"Although the residents got what they wanted, they will have to bear the high transportation cost, which was the very reason why the plant was proposed in Kampung Bohol," one of the sources warned.

"Looks like they are willing to pay more for purely selfish reasons and for refusing to help the government resolve the waste management problem."

According to the ministry, Malaysia produces 16,000 tonnes of waste per day which fills out available landfills space fast. The country's 230 landfills are scheduled for shutdown in two years' time.

When contacted today, Mohktar Dahlan, Selangor exco member for local government, housing and squatters and environment, confirmed the federal government's decision to relocate the incinerator plant from Kampung Bohol to Broga.

"This was what the MB (Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo) briefed us at yesterday's exco meeting."

Forest reserve site

China Press , in a report yesterday, quoted Ong as saying that the proposed project will be moved to a less densely-populated area at the Selangor-Negeri Sembilan border.

He said the decision was made after considering the vehement protests from Puchong residents and feedback from Barisan Nasional (BN) members of parliament around the area.

According to the Bernama report, Ong said the proposed hi-tech, modern plant will be near a forest reserve in Semenyih.

The BN controls five of the six parliamentary constituencies Serdang, Lembah Pantai, Petaling Jaya Selatan, Subang and Cheras while Seputeh is under DAP.

Government sources also revealed that the relocation of the Puchong incinerator, touted as the largest anywhere for gasification technology, to Broga meant that two plants will be built there, including the Selangor government's earlier proposal for a 1,200-tonne capacity plant.

Both plants, to manage municipal waste from Kuala Lumpur and the state respectively, are expected to take up an area of about 300 acres.

Alternative route

Mokhtar said there were several housing estates in Broga. Describing the sleepy hollow as an up-and-coming satellite township, he said a UK-based university is also in the midst of setting up a campus there.

"Firstly, we (state government) will make sure that the plant we have proposed has a very good system. We will also try to find an alternative route for garbage trucks to bypass the housing areas."

The proposed project employs Japanese technology funded by a soft loan from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation.

Last January, the Malaysian government approved the construction of the plant which will cost about RM50 million to maintain annually.

The residents began mobilising neighbouring residents associations in July to campaign against the proposed project, and even set up a website containing information on the hazards of dioxin, a cancer-causing agent found in incinerator emissions.

By early November, the pro tem residents action committee managed to garner 135,000 signatures of residents in several housing estates within the 5-km radius of the proposed plant which will affect an estimated one million people.

The people threatened to express their protests through the ballot box if the government did not heed their objections to the incinerator.

Japanese involvement

Three Japanese contractors Ebara Corporation, Hitachi Zosen Corporation and Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd have already been shortlisted but no further details are available on the status of the tender awards.

However, sources said Ebara, a major player in incineration technology, is likely to win the main contract.

A consortium of consultants comprising Tokyo-based Yachiyo Engineering Co Ltd, Minconsult Sdn Bhd, HSS Integrated Sdn Bhd and Environmental and Engineering Consultants Sdn Bhd will manage the proposed federal project.