Has the government complied with Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) requirements in building the RM23.9 billion Trans-Peninsular Oil Pipeline project?

Opposition party DAP has this question - among others - for Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who had confirmed the project earlier this month, aimed at developing the northern region.

In a statement today, secretary-general Lim Guan Eng also wanted Abdullah to explain whether the oil pipeline project from Yan in Kedah to Bachok in Kelantan follows provisions of the Environmental Quality Act 1974.

"Has he given consent to build the mega-project in August without prior approval of the EIA report?" asked Lim.

Under the Environmental Quality Act, said Lim, the construction of the pipeline clearly needs statutory approval via an EIA from the authorities.

"In developed countries, the EIA report has a decisive role in influencing the approval process," he pointed out.

Generally, such projects would be rejected if there is of health and environmental risk to to people or if these could lead to severe environmental degradation.

"However, in Malaysia, EIA reports are known more by their breach rather than compliance of environmental standards," he said.

Lim said the DAP is concerned about the environmental impact and land problems associated with the construction of the 312km crude-oil pipeline that will traverse three northern states - Kedah, Perak and Kelantan.

"The oil pipeline project will pass through fishing ports, padi farms, forest reserves, the Temenggor lake, areas with tourist attractions and populated areas," he said.

"(We) demand to know why there is no public participation in the process of decision-making of such an important project, and whether or not the government will be transparent and accountable to ensure that the public understands the impact of this mega-project.

"Has the impact of the loss of the environmental degradation been calculated?

Lim cited the impact of the pipeline on the fishing industry along the coastal areas where the seabed will be deepened artificially.

He urged the government to reveal its basis of approval of two oil refineries under the pipeline project, by SKS Development Sdn Bhd owned by Syed Mukhtar Al-Bukhary and Merapoh Resources Sdn Bhd.