Penang state government investment arm InvestPenang has given its assurance that the solar panel production plant in Batu Kawan is radioactivivity-free.

InvestPenang chairperson Lee Kah Choon said Penang "is a green state" and therefore its initiatives and activities would comply with its environmental safety and health obligations.

lee kah choon penang pc 170609 "Careful examination of Bosch's solar project in Penang by the relevant authorities shows that the processes, usage of raw materials, as well as waste generation are radioactivity-free," Lee ( right ) said in a statement.

He said this was also in line with Penang's support for the federal government's vision of making Malaysia a global photovoltaic hub.

Bosch Solar Energy, he said, will showcase the latest photovoltaic technology and safe manufacturing processes.

The project had been questioned by several quarters that claimed the Bosch plant posed health and environment risks.

Parti Cinta Malaysia vice-chief Huan Cheng Guan accused the state government of " practising double standards " in allowing the plant to be set up.

Huan compared it with Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's strong opposition to the Australian-based Lynas plant in Kuantan, which poses potential radioactive hazards.

Site approved by environmental authorities

State Gerakan complaints and services bureau chief Rich Too said Lim should clear the air as the project "will be located in a residential area".

Kedah Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang also criticised Penang for approving the project, claiming that a similar plant has been banned by China.

Lee said the Bosch's crystalline plant, when in operation, will join the ranks of the other photovoltaic plants operating in Malaysia.

They include First Solar and Panasonic in Kedah, Q-Cells in Selangor, AUO SunPower in Malacca and MEMC in Sarawak.

"The site identified for the project by Bosch has been approved by the Department of Environment," said Lee.

It had been done according to proper screening processes for the establishment of a new factory at the at Batu Kawan Industrial Park and the environmental impact assessment (EIA) that has been done would be evaluated by the Department of Environment, Lee added.

Answers wanted

In a related matter, Too expressed disappointment with Lim for not providing answers to all the questions posed on the plant.

NONE "What is wrong about us questioning him as the opposition. He should face the public, instead of twisting and turning his words," he added.

Too ( left ) said according to map shown to him, the plant is near a residential area.

To build a solar plant near to a housing estate is not fair to the buyers, he added.

When asked if he opposed solar plants in other states, Too said he was speaking as the Opposition in Penang, "so we only target the issues here".

"We are not opposing the solar plant project as long as the location is suitable and has proper waste management," he added.

Too requested for the EIA report to be publicly shown, urging Lim to be "transparent and not act like a dictator doing whatever he wants".

"Even with the DOE report, Lim is still opposing the Lynas plant. Don't display double standards. He shouts like a hero there but keeps quiet here. This is unfair to Penangites," he stressed.