KUALA LUMPUR: An action committee known as “Kuala Lumpur Tak Nak Incinerator” (KTI) has strongly opposed the Selangor government’s recent announcement that a RM500 million garbage incinerator will be built in Jeram, Kuala Selangor.
KTI chairman Lee Chong Tek said the side effects of building incinerators far outweigh the good as it can lead to a whole host of environmental and most importantly, health problems to residents living nearby.
“We do not support the government’s decision to build this or any other incinerator in the country because of the adverse effects as residents living in nearby areas will be exposed to dioxins and other toxic gases.”
He added he challenged the state government to show the impact assessment study done to carry out the project.
“They (state government) made the announcement to build the incinerator but until now we have not seen an impact assessment study. We also want to see the land valuation and whether residents in Jeram are happy about it.”
Lee added the Selangor government must explain why it did not implement the 3R (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) waste separation programme first before building the incinerator.
“Why are they in such a rush to build the incinerator?” he asked at a media conference yesterday.
“I am also asking the Selangor government whether this project was done via open tender? How is the RM500 million being spent? What is the tipping fee and will this increase the fees of waste management in Selangor?”
He said many countries including China are banning incinerators.
Lam Choong Wah, a KTI committee member, told theSun that some studies have revealed a correlation between incinerators and miscarriages as well as cancer.
“I’ve been to Japan to study about incinerators. The maximum lifespan of an incinerator is between 15 and 20 years, after which it’s not cost-effective to sustain it. This is why a lot of incinerators in Japan have been abandoned.”
He said if the government can educate people and implement the 3R system, then there will be no need for incinerators.
The incinerator in Jeram was a deal signed by Worldwide Holdings Bhd and Western Power Clean Energy Sdn Bhd to start a garbage disposal system that incorporates a waste-to-energy
incinerator, which will be the biggest and most modern in Kuala Selangor.
The facility will be built on a six-hectare site near the Jeram sanitary landfill in Kuala Selangor and is expected to be ready in 2020.
According to the company, it will reduce the demand for landfill space while supporting the government’s aim to boost renewable energy output to 20% by 2025.
