They went, they waited - and had to leave without meeting Dr Vincent Lim, the political secretary to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Six members of the Semenyih/Broga No Incinerator pro-tem action committee made a futile trip to Putrajaya this morning, hoping to get an update on the RM1.5 billion incinerator project to which they have objected.

"We were not able to meet Lim or anyone else from the PM's office," said committee member Lee Kim Sin, when contacted.

He said the committee had written to Lim for an appointment about two months ago. Although it did not receive a response, the members decided to try their luck anyway.

The six, including chairperson Dr Zulkefly Mohamad Omar, waited 30 minutes at the PM's office.

They were later informed by security personnel that Lim was away in Johor for the day, accompanying Abdullah.

No appointment set

His personal assistant confirmed that no appointment had been set for a meeting today with the committee.

"We hope the government will deal with this (matter) soon," Lee said.

In February, Lim had sent a letter to his counterpart Wee Jeck Seng in the housing and local government ministry, seeking clarification on six points highlighted in a memorandum submitted by the affected residents to Abdullah.

The committee had sent Abdullah the memorandum in January, requesting his intervention in stopping the project based on health and environmental concerns.