RAWANG Tolak Insinerator (RTI) Network spokesman Lam Choong Wah said local residents are considering legal action as a last resort to stop the construction of a RM4.5 billion incinerator in the their neighborhood.

“It’s (legal action) our last resort as it will be costly and time consuming.

“We are already seeking legal assistance. But before that we want to exhaust all avenues of communication with the state government,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

He said they will need to seek counsel from their legal adviser on who to sue.

Residents of Batu Arang, M Residence, Kota Puteri, and Bandar Tasik Puteri are protesting the construction of the Sultan Idris Shah green energy plant.

The residents are also disappointed that Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari had declined to receive their memorandum objecting to the project. 

“We went to two MB functions, in October and early November, to pass the memorandum to him but to no avail.

“He refused to see us and receive our memorandum.”

KDEB Waste Management and YTL Power are the developers of the 99.15ha project.

On Tuesday Selangorkini reported that the construction the incinerator in Gombak is expected after June next year. 

KDEB Waste Management managing director Ramli Mohd Tahir said the environment- and community-friendly energy plant would be  equipped with supporting infrastructure.

“The project will physically begin after reaching the targeted financial close in June next year. The construction period is about 36 months,” he said

“All the details of the first phase project will be communicated to the public through a transparent and complete environmental study process (which is) expected to be completed by the end of this year”.

Last week, during the tabling of Selangor Budget 2024, Amirudin said the plant would be able to burn 2,400 tonnes of garbage per day to generate 130.5MW of electricity.

Lam said it appears that the developers and authorities are bent on realising the project.
 
“We feel the project is being bulldozed, which is not right. He (Amirudin) has to listen to the people on this project.

Lam said the residents will recruit an expert to scrutinise the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report once it has been made public. 

“Once the EIA is completed, there will be a public review for residents to put in their suggestions or objections.”

Lam said the residents have also asked for Amirudin’s officers for a town hall meeting to discuss the development at length. 

“We had called for a dialogue with MB to discuss this issue, but have yet to hear any feedback. 

“We want to personally hand over the memorandum to the MB. We hope the MB office will respond to our request.” – November 19, 2023.