Perak urged to review construction of Sg Renggam palm oil factory

GEORGE TOWN: A non-governmental organisation, Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM), has urged the Perak government to review plans to build a palm oil factory in Sungai Renggam, Pasir Salak which drew protests from the local residents recently.
SAM president S.M. Mohamed Idris said the residents were worried that the factory would affect the environment and lives of residents in the housing areas as well as that of river fishermen in the vicinity.
"A detailed study must be conducted. We ask that the Department of Environment, Department of Irrigation and Drainage, and the Fisheries Department conduct a comprehensive study on the effects of the factory built near the residents' homes and the river which is where the fishermen earn a living.
"We are also worried that if the environmental aspect and social problems are not taken into consideration when the factory is issued a licence, it would have a negative effect on the income and health of the people there," he said in a statement here today.
The local media had reported that about 400 inland fishermen and residents of 15 villages from Mukim Kota Setia recently staged a protest against the construction of the factory there.
The protest was caused by the fear that the factory which was to be built near Sungai Dedap would lead to numerous problems including the disposal of wastes into the river.
Mohamed Idris said SAM hoped the relevant authorities would give the matter due attention and resolve it before it gets worse.
"SAM is worried that smoke emission, pollution, and waste disposed by the factory would disturb the lives of the residents," he said.
He added that SAM would also send a letter to the authorities soon to urge that the matter be resolved quickly. — Bernama