The Johor government has clarified that the letter of undertaking it signed with Taiwan’s Kuokuang Petrochemical Technology Co on the construction of a RM35 billion petrochemical complex in Pengerang is not equal to a final approval.

abdul ghani othman bangsa malaysia 061106 talking Yesterday, Johor Menteri Besar Abdul Ghani Othman ( left ) unprecedentedly issued a statement in Chinese, stressing that the state government would ensure the project does not bring a huge impact to the environment and surrounding residents before giving its final green light.

The signing of the letter of undertaking with the Taiwanese corporation on July 9 has further escalated the protest by Pengerang residents, who fear that the project will jeopardise their livelihood and the environment.

The proposed venture is part of Petronas’ Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development (Rapid) project in Pengerang, a mega project under the Economic Transformation Programme to transform southern Johor into a refining and petrochemical centre.

According to Oriental Daily News , Ghani said the letter of undertaking only allowed Kuokuang to conduct an investment feasibility study and land survey.

The letter also required Kuokuang to conduct an environmental impact assessment to identify whether the plant was suitable to be established at Pengerang.

"We reiterated that the letter of undertaking does not guarantee Kuokuang the approval to invest in Pengerang.

"The final decision azlan of the state government depends on whether Kuokuang can comply with the laws and regulations of Johor and Malaysia, as well as the requests of society particularly on environment, health and safety."

Ghani stressed that the state government was concerned about the environmental impact, hence it was working closely with the Department of Environment to ensure Kuokuang abided with all laws and regulations.

“Unless Kuokuang has fulfilled all the requirements, and all relevant authorities also agree that the project will not bring a huge impact to the environment and the safety of surrounding residents, the state government will not approve this investment,” the statement says.

Official notice to be issued on relocation of cemeteries

In another related development, Kota Tinggi district officer Ismail Karim confirmed to Oriental Daily News that an official notice would  be issued to the Pengerang residents tomorrow (Aug 1) informing them of the government’s decision to close down and relocate the cemeteries around the area.

The notice will spell out details on the cemeteries that would be closed down and where these wouldl be relocated.

“The authorities have identified Bukit Gelugor as the new location for Pengerang cemeteries. The 58-acre site is located opposite Sebana Cove Resort at Lot 1038,” Ismail is quoted as saying.

Ismail said the notice would also be published in local newspapers but the relocation would only commence after the new cemeteries are constructed.

The state government has yet to decide the date of relocation, he added.

NONE On Sunday, the personnel of a funeral service company engaged by the Johor government to count the number of graves in the five cemeteries in Pengerang were surrounded by local residents who forced them to kneel and apologise to the ‘ancestors’ for ‘tampering’ with the tombstones.

The local residents have rejected the proposal to relocate the cemeteries and pledged to safeguard their houses as well against the Rapid project.