A group of Broga, Semenyih and Kajang residents lodged a police report against the Malaysian government yesterday over the proposed multi-million ringgit incinerator project for what they claimed as having been "manipulated by its information and propaganda".

Among several government officials named in the report for alleged involvement included Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo and Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister M Kayveas.

The same report, a copy of which was made available to malaysiakini today, also named Ebara Corporation and the government-appointed consultant company (not named in the report) which conducted the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study for alleged involvement in the "manipulation of information".

Scientific study

Ebara is one of Japan's biggest engineering firms which was hired to design and build the thermal incinerator in Malaysia. It is a joint-venture partner of Kuala Lumpur-based engineering firm Hartasuma Sdn Bhd.

The report was lodged at the Semenyih police station by the group's representative Wong Yuen Mei, who is also a committee member of the Semenyih/ Broga No Incinerator pro-tem action committee . About 40 people accompanied him to the station.

In the report, the group said the government had repeatedly made public statements last year that the 'zero emission' gasification technology offered by Ebara is the "best and safest" to treat municipal solid waste.

"Ebara representative and the EIA consultant company also made similar statements to local residents before any scientific study result was completed," the report added.

Five reasons

The report cited five reasons, urging the police to take immediate action and initiate investigation over the complaint.

It said the proposed incinerator is not safe and its maintenance is very costly. It added that Broga is not a suitable incinerator construction side since the location has been classified by the state government as an environmentally sensitive area and eternal forest reserve.

The report further questioned the credibility of Ebara because of its bad track record in the incinerator business in Japan.

The group stressed that the three parties should not continue with its "misleading and contradicting" statements.

"We appeal for accurate, transparent and responsible information. As a basic human right, we are entitled to a fair treatment and we deserve a transparent and reliable government," the report added.