The Department of Environment ( DOE ) has called for comments o­n the terms of reference (TOR) for the detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study into the mega-incinerator project proposed in Broga, near Semenyih.

The department placed a public notice in the News Straits Times and Utusan Malaysia today, which will also be carried in their weekend editions.

Deadline for response

The public can review the TOR from today up to April 18 at the DOE library in Putrajaya; Kompleks Penghulu Semenyih; National Library; Kajang Municipal Council; Semenyih police station and at all state DOE offices.

Written comments must be sent to the DOE address as stated in the advertisement before April 26.

Contacted today, a DOE officer said the public must respond in writing within two weeks from the date the first notice was advertised.

"The people now have an opportunity to decide the scope of work and the kind of related issues they would like to see included in the detailed EIA study," said the officer, who declined to be named.

"Our panel will review the TOR and public comments before the study can be conducted by the project proponent (Housing and Local Government Ministry)."

He said that, when the detailed EIA study is completed in May, an announcement will be made in the media.

"A panel comprising various experts from the private sector, universities and DOE will then meet again for a final review of the full report before it is approved," said the officer.

Perunding Utama Sdn Bhd, a registered environmental consultant with the DOE, has been appointed to conduct the study.

DAP against project

Meanwhile, DAP national publicity secretary Ronnie Liu ( photo ) said the minister in charge of the RM1.5 billion project, o­ng Ka Ting, should call it off now.

"The Broga/Semenyih No Incineration pro tem action committee has proof that even the site itself is highly unsafe and vulnerable. They have presented solid evidence to the Barisan Nasional government," he said in a statement.

He was referring to the memorandum presented to opposition and government MPs after the committee briefed them at the Parliament building yesterday.

He said o­ng must explain the breach of government policy and laws in awarding the contract to a consortium led by Ebara Corporation of Japan even before the EIA study has been approved. Residents claim that land clearing has started at the site, together with construction of a bridge.

"The committee has maps and documents to prove that the proposed site is in the middle of the Semenyih water catchment area, which has been classified by the Selangor government as an environmentally-sensitive area," Liu said.

Reiterating DAP's stand against incinerators, he said the construction and maintenance costs alone make the idea an unfeasible o­ne.

"The incineration cost is estimated to be more than RM125 per tonne which is much higher than the current RM25 using the landfill system. It is not something Malaysians could afford in the long run, both environmentally and economically," he said.

'Lives at risk'

Pro tem

committee chairperson Halil Hussain told MPs yesterday that the Semenyih river basin is o­ne of the largest and most important sources of water supply for the Klang Valley.

"More than 300 housing, commercial and industrial areas in Semenyih, Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya and Putrajaya will be affected if the Semenyih river and its tributaries are contaminated. We are talking about the lives of millions of people here," he said.

He argued that, despite supporting a Local Agenda 21 programme for sustainable development, the state has failed to consider environmental, public safety and health factors before promoting a project of this size.

Halil, who has an engineering background and more than 20 years experience in environmental issues, said the government should seriously take up other alternatives such as zero waste and clean production concepts.

However, Sarawak-based environmental expert and Mambong MP, Dr James Dawos Mamit, insisted that alternative technology, such as bio-energy waste management, was available locally.

He claimed the state maintains a good record in environmental issues, especially where municipal solid waste management is concerned, and is now preparing to build the region's "best landfill".