The Housing and Local Government Ministry has confirmed that Ebara Corporation has been awarded the contract for the controversial 1,500-tonne mega-incinerator project proposed in Broga, 40km south of Kuala Lumpur.

"The government has agreed to appoint Consortium Ebara & Hartasuma Sdn Bhd to implement the project," Local Government Department director-general Mohamad Saib said in a press release dated March 31.

Preliminary works

Mohamed Saib said the consortium was "only allowed to implement preliminary works such as land survey and soil investigation".

"The consortium is not allowed to proceed with any physical construction works until the approval of the EIA (environmental impact assessment) study," he said.

"As part of the appointment conditions, both the government and the consortium have agreed to mutually terminate the project should the Department of Environment not approve the EIA study."

A response from Hartasuma Sdn Bhd was not immediately available.

In an exclusive report last Thursday, malaysiakini reported that Japanese incinerator equipment and technology giant Ebara Corporation had won the bid for the Broga project.

Laws not breached

Mohamad also denied that any construction work has begun in the are earmarked.

"The ministry wishes to reiterate the statement made in Parliament previously that the construction of the project will o­nly commence after the approval of the EIA study."

He said this was in compliance with Section 34A of the Environmental Quality Act 1974.

On Sunday, the Broga/Semenyih No Incinerator pro tem action committee had lodged a police report in Kajang alleging that the ministry had breached the laws and required legal procedures.

A copy of Ebara's original press release in the Japanese language and a translated version was attached to the police report.

In the report, the committee claimed the construction of a new bridge in Kampung Sungai Lalang Baru was specifically for the incinerator project and done prior to the approval of the EIA report.

Impact under study

Mohamad reiterated the ministry's stand of abiding by environmental laws in implementing the project, a thermal treatment plant to treat solid waste.

"The government has appointed an independent consultant to conduct the EIA tudy for the project, expected to be completed in May," he said.

He said it will cover "every environmental aspect" including health and socio-economic impact.

"In general, it will study the impact of this project o­n the environment and recommend mitigation measures required."

On March 25, Housing and Local Government Minister o­ng Ka Ting told the Dewan Rakyat that the detailed EIA report will determine whether or not the project will proceed.

However, the No Incinerator committee was not reassured. Last Thursday it sent o­ng a second request to meet with Broga residents o­n April 20, after the first was derailed by the minister's busy schedule.

Not involved

Meanwhile, the Japan embassy in Kuala Lumpur denied that its government is involved in the Broga project when contacted yesterday for comments o­n Ebara's deal and funding details.

In a written response to malaysiakini's questions, the embassy's economic section first secretary Yoshihiro Kakishita said: "Neither the government of Japan nor Japan Bank for International Cooperation are involved in the said project whatsoever.

"Therefore, since this is strictly a matter of a private company, please refer to the parties involved in the said project."