Residents from Taman Tasik Semenyih, near the site of the planned RM1.5bil incinerator plant, plan to initiate legal action to have the project stopped joining their neighbours in Broga in the struggle to protect their environment.

Advisor for its fund-raising committee, Lee Kim Sin, told malaysiakini today that residents in the area had been briefed on details of the incinerator two months ago, and a consensus was reached to put a stop to it.

"Not only did they endorse the proposal of legal action against the incinerator project, several residents even agreed to be plaintiffs themselves," said Lim.

The residents' group have engaged Meena Raman and Partners, who are also legal advisors to the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP), to represent them.

A fund-raising dinner is being planned for Saturday to help finance legal costs. Lim hopes that around RM10,000 would be raised at the dinner which would help cover basic legal fees.

The dinner will be held at Semenyih Lake Country Club in Taman Tasik Semenyih. Members of the public are asked to contact Victor Liew at 012-3379-850 for further information.

Toxic emissions

The controversial incinerator, touted as the largest of its kind in Asia, was initially slated for Kampung Bohol, Puchong but the authorities relocated it to Broga after heavy protests from Puchong residents.

Upon learning that the incinerator would be sited near their homes, Broga residents have since mounted various protests besides legal action. They are currently awaiting hearing for an application to stop the project.

The hearing is slated for Jan 12 after being postponed three times.

The construction of a 1,500-tonne plant is scheduled to begin incinerating thousands of tonnes of municipal solid waste by 2007.

Broga, and now Semenyih, residents are objecting to the project as it is sited within a forest reserve that is also a water source for over 300 residential estates in Kuala Lumpur, Cyberjaya, Sepang, Putrajaya. Subang, Shah Alam, Beranang, Kajang, Semenyih and Serdang.

They are also worried over latest research findings from Europe and Japan that draw a link between the hazardous nature of dioxin and other toxic emissions from the incineration of household wastes, and related public health risks.

Grassroots campaign

Tokyo-based Ebara Corp has been hired to design, build and operate the plant. It secured the contract in February 2003 when the government placed a purchase order for heavy equipment.

The grassroots campaign has seen numerous memoranda and appeal letters sent to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, Housing and Local Government Minister Ong Ka Ting, the Department of Environment and local elected representatives.

None of have responded to date, save for a 'request for clarification' from Abdullah's office to Ong's ministry.