Activists back call for independent EIA reports

Local activists have lauded the proposal by Penang exco Jagdeep Singh Deo for independent funding for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports to avoid bias.

Heritage activist Khoo Salma Nasution said that currently, there is a "blatant conflict of interest" as the developer's or project proponent's sole motive is to get the project approved.

"They will get consultants to help them do that. We have seen so many cases where consultants say that a project would not have too much negative impact, even when it does," Salma told Malaysiakini.

"Or they would say that the negative impacts can be mitigated, but the mitigations are not carried out," added the former Penang city councillor.

"We have heard of cases where if the consultant does not state what the project proponent wants, the consultant does not get paid.

"It is the public, those staying next to the project who lose out," added Salma, who was involved in the successful lobbying to list George Town as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 2008.

Salma was responding to Jagdeep, who yesterday cited vested interests as an issue because EIA reports are funded by developers.

He had admitted that no developer would prepare a report which would have a negative impact on their projects.

Salma pointed out that while Malaysia has had the Environmental Quality Act since 1974, it is not an excuse to continue with the present arrangement.

"Whatever preventive measures the Department of Environment has placed to ensure integrity, obviously hasn't been working as well as it should," she said.

She added that the DOE needs to build capacity to manage the whole process of getting consultants for the EIA and ensure that there is a "comprehensive monitoring, transparency and process that all work together efficiently."

Consumers Association of Penang's Meena Raman echoed similar views, saying that NGOs had previously suggested that the project proponent set aside some money so that the state can appoint independent consultants to carry out the EIA.

"Consultants must have the proper expertise and knowledge to carry out the independent study. Those who were found to have not carried out a good job should be blacklisted as well," Meena said.

"Also important are the reviewers of the EIA report, which must come from a wide range of experts, including NGOs and the public," she added.

In addition to the EIA, Meena proposed that the DOE should also include a strategic impact report focusing more on the surroundings of developments.

"This is because the impact of a certain project on its surroundings is also important, as there could hills or catchment areas affected," she said.

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