About 400 people turned up at the Semenyih community hall today in support of a gathering organised by the Semenyih/ Broga No Incinerator pro tem committee to oppose the controversy -ridden project.

The residents who came with banners and placards, however, dispersed 30 minutes later after the police intervened as the group did not possess a permit for the gathering.

However, the police gave the group 15 minutes to wrap up their programme before they dispersed peacefully at 11am.

Earlier, the group representatives delivered their speeches and led the crowd to chant the 'no-incinerator' slogan.

International campaign

Residents in Broga and Semenyih have claimed that the incinerator operations will be hazardous to their health and environment. The government is pushing for the 1,500-tonne plant proposed in Broga, near Semenyih to come on stream in 2007.

The residents also claimed that the Japanese-based Ebara Corporation - the engineering firm which holds the contract with the Malaysian government - has a bad track record in the incinerator business.

According to committee member Wong Yuen Mei, the Semenyih gathering was part of the 2003 Global Day of Action against Waste Incinerator launched by Global Anti-Incinerator Alliance on July 14.

"With this event, Malaysian citizens are joining the 235 groups from 62 countries who want action against waste incinerator and to serve notice to their governments at the international level," she said when contacted.

"The huge attendance this morning also aims to tell our government that 'look, we are not the minority opposing the incinerator'," she added.

Register as voters

The event this morning also featured the legal fund raising campaign which kicked off early this month.

The residents plan to take their case to court if the project is approved. The project is pending approval as the Environmental Impact Assessment report has yet to be furnished.

"We also urge the residents here to register as voters in order to make our voices heard through the ballot box as well," Wong said.

She also disclosed that more than 10 local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have endorsed the memorandum titled 'Yes to zero waste management, No to incinerator'.

Representatives from Save Our School Committee and the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall were also present at the gathering to lend their support.