RTI wants more time for EIA review of Batu Arang incinerator

Summary

• Rawang Tolak Incinerator Network submits a letter to the Environment Department requesting an extension of the public comment period for the Batu Arang incinerator project.

• The group cites the need for expert analysis and the importance of providing translations to ensure inclusive community engagement.

• It proposes a submission date of Sept 20 while offering to assist with providing translated materials and coordinating briefings.

Representatives from the Rawang Tolak Incinerator Network (RTI) today submitted a formal letter to the Environment Department (DOE) in Putrajaya.

They urged for an extension of the public comment period for the environmental assessment impact (EIA) report for the proposed Batu Arang waste-to-energy (WTE) incinerator.

RTI requested a three-month extension, citing insufficient consultation time, limited document access, and the technical complexity of the report.

“We are here today with a clear message: the community deserves transparency, accountability, and the chance to fully participate in decisions affecting their health and environment,” said RTI spokesperson Abdul Hanan Abd Mokti.

The group’s letter to the DOE cited the following reasons for the extension request:

• A need for expert analysis of complex data, such as air quality models and health risk assessments.

• Delays caused by the project proponent over the past two years.

• The importance of ensuring bilingual access and inclusive community engagement.

The group said it previously submitted written requests on May 21, May 26, and June 6, but has yet to hear back from the DOE.

The RTI stressed in its letter that the initial display for the EIA was delayed, thus shrinking the already limited window for the public to voice comments on the project.

On May 9, RTI chastised the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) for failing to display the EIA for the WTE incinerator, which is called the Sultan Idris Shah Green Energy Plant.

When asked about the matter, MPS told Malaysiakini that responsibility for the EIA falls under the DOE.

Call for stricter standards

The Sultan Idris Shah Green Energy Plant is one of several such plants approved by the Selangor state government.

Batu Arang residents have opposed the project over health, safety, and environmental concerns, including the town’s geographic structure due to its location on former open-cast coal mines, which the group said makes the land unstable and poses a risk of collapse.

In its letter to the DOE, RTI pointed to proposed amendments to the Environmental Quality Act 1974, which introduce tighter emissions controls and enhanced public participation requirements.

Although the changes to the act are not in force, the group argued that the project should meet these higher standards from the start.

“Granting this extension will uphold DOE’s responsibility to facilitate inclusive consultation and enable stakeholders - regardless of language preference or technical expertise - to submit informed, evidence-based feedback,” it added.

It proposed a revised submission deadline of Sept 20 and offered to assist with translation efforts and community briefings to ensure robust participation across affected neighbourhoods.

According to the EIA, 91.3 percent of respondents surveyed in 2025 either opposed or strongly opposed the proposed project.

The report noted that objections may stem from concerns about the potential negative impacts on the surrounding community, such as air pollution, odour, dust, and disturbances to daily activities.

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