The Semenyih/Broga No Incinerator pro-tem action committee is considering several options, including using the political card, to stop the government from proceeding with implementation of the proposed incinerator project.

The 'fast-track option' involves suing the government even before the Department of Environment (DOE) completes evaluating feedback on the detailed environmental impact assessment (EIA) study. The final report is expected to be released in November.

The study is currently open for public comments until Oct 14. Much criticism has been leveled against both the project and the EIA study.

A second option is to challenge the project in court if and when the DOE approves the EIA report.

The committee claims to represent 80,000 people from 25 residential estates in and around Beranang, Kajang, Broga and Semenyih who are opposed to the proposal to build a 1,500-tonne incinerator to handle household trash from Kuala Lumpur and parts of Selangor.

Pro-tem

chairperson Prof P Ramasamy said there is no harm in pursuing the two options in tandem, since both are aimed at stopping the multi-billion ringgit project.

"Some (members) wish to use the fast-track option and they can do so, while the rest of us will wait for the DOE's final decision on the EIA study before proceeding," he said when contacted today.

"Those who favour waiting include more than 600 residents who will be the plaintiffs. We have met twice with our lawyers who have advised us to wait for the DOE decision, in case the 'fast- track' suit is thrown out of court."

Ramasamy, a university lecturer, said the committee has planned to adopt a "political approach" with the help of opposition parties "since the government has not consulted us on the project and has completely refused to meet us until today despite numerous written requests".

"We are thinking of a broad political approach together with the opposition, but the committee will decide on the details at a meeting later this week."

DAP advice

The residents planning to pursue the fast-track option are from Broga and mainly comprise fruit farmers and petty traders.

Selangor DAP chairperson Ronnie Liu, who has been in contact with residents to offer advice, said he would prefer to see legal action being taken immediately or at least before the final EIA report is released.

He said that, at a glance, the findings of the EIA study appeared unfavourable to the residents.

"Although the study acknowledges that residents have not been given enough information on the project, the government has continued to shirk its responsibility towards the people," he said.

"This gives us the impression that the government is pushing ahead with the project without heeding public sentiment and thus legal action is inevitable. I believe it is pointless to wait for the report because, no matter how much people comment or protest, the project will still be approved."

He said this was exactly what happened during a similar EIA study at the initial site proposed in Kampung Bohol, Puchong.

"That EIA report had observed flaws and weaknesses, but the DOE still approved it. We are anticipating a similar situation here in Broga."

Liu, who said a case may be filed as early as next month, explained that only the court can decide whether the project is feasible, given the proposal to locate it within a major water catchment area.

Among other grounds for legal action are that the residents have a right to safe living, safe drinking water and a safe environment.

"I believe we have enough circumstantial evidence for the judge to rule in favour of the residents. The people are working hard to raise funds and collect signatures to back the legal action."

He also questioned the source of money used to finance recent pro-incinerator advertisements and organised trips to incinerator plants in Japan.

"The advertising campaign is a clear indicator that the government wants to bulldoze the project through. I don't remember any project where the government has spent so much money (on this) and it wouldn't have done so if it was unsure of getting approval," he noted.

"Whose money is all that? Is it the contractor's or the government's? Such unrelenting propaganda done simultaneously with the EIA study shows that a lot of money is being spent to ensure public acceptance of the project."

He added that those who still think the government will reject the project if the EIA report is adverse are "just being naive".