THE DOE is a baby of the Ministry of Environment. All major projects must get Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) done.

The EIA’s are scrutinised by the DOE and approvals given are not blank  cheques but tied to conditions set down by the DOE.

The DOE which lays down the conditions is also responsible for monitoring the projects to ensure the conditions are complied with. Any non-compliance is supposed to be nipped in the bud.

Over the years numerous work-site ‘accidents’ have taken place taking innocent lives away (of workers and the public) or causing injuries and other losses. There is no end in sight to this.

The most recent case of non compliance taking place in Penang is at the construction site of the Air Itam to Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway.

This was highlighted by Parti Rakyat Malaysia Pulau Pinang Branch last year but apparently nothing was done by the DOE to ensure the violations are stopped. Recently rock blasting at the site had sent rocks flying into apartments and damaging some cars.

The rains have washed tons of mud floods onto the roads in Air Itam. Work is being in open violation of the working days and hours allowed as construction work is close to residential areas.

The DOE’s response to the complaints was that the developer is required to send reports to the DOE every three months. Now, will any consultant paid by the developer to prepare those reports put the rope around his employer’s neck?  

Years Ago the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP)  had taken up the issue of work-site ‘accidents’ and questioned the ineffectiveness DOE’s enforcement action.  

DOE’s response was that it now practices the policy of SELF REGULATION, i.e. the developers’ own consultants must ensure compliance with all the safety procedures and conditions set by the DOE for approval of the projects.

This is because it does not have enough enforcement officers to be stationed at every work site!

The reason given by the DOE to leave things in the hands of the developers is untenable. It is just an excuse to close an eye to corner-cutting by developers.

Why is the DOE not making real surprise visits to construction sites to see the actual situation? It’s protocol now is to make scheduled visits by appointment once in 12 to 18 months’ time. When this modus operandi is employed, of course DOE will not see any violations.

It behoves YB Nik Nazmi the Minister for Environment to pull up the DOE. When any violations of DOE approved projects takes place, the DOE officers responsible for monitoring must be put on the stand.

If need be, heads must roll to make the DOE an effective enforcement agency. It cannot give approvals and close an eye to violations as it then becomes an accomplice to the developers’ corner-cuttings to save time and cost. – May 22, 2024.

* Ravinder Singh, Vice Chairman PRM Penang Branch.