KUALA LUMPUR 17 Sept. – Bangunan-bangunan pencakar langit di negara ini tidak akan tumbang walaupun bahagian dasarnya tidak direka untuk menahan gegaran akibat gempa bumi yang berlaku di kepulauan Indonesia.
Pakar geologi, Profesor Dr. Abdul Ghani Rafek yang pernah terlibat dalam kajian Kesan Penilaian Alam Sekitar (EIA) bangunan tinggi di ibu kota berkata, gegaran pada bangunan itu bergantung kepada kekuatan kejadian gempa bumi tersebut yang berpunca daripada tenaga di bawah tanah akibat pergerakan kerak bumi.
Justeru, Pensyarah Geologi Kejuruteraan, Fakulti Sains dan Teknologi, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) itu berpendapat, penghuni bangunan kediaman tinggi dan komersial tidak perlu bimbang kerana kestabilan bentuk muka bumi negara ini mengurangkan risiko ditimpa bencana alam tersebut.
Ketika ditanya kemungkinan Malaysia dilanda gempa bumi dalam tempoh 100 tahun akan datang, katanya, perubahan bentuk muka bumi tidak akan berlaku dalam tempoh sesingkat itu kerana ia mengambil masa jutaan tahun.
“Secara ringkasnya, saya boleh katakan, kita masih selamat daripada gempa bumi walaupun jarak Kuala Lumpur dengan Sumatera agak dekat sekitar 350 kilometer sahaja,” ujarnya ketika dihubungi Utusan Malaysia di sini hari ini.
Beliau turut mengutarakan pendapatnya mengenai kesan minimum gempa terhadap struktur binaan sensitif seperti jambatan panjang, empangan hidroelektrik dan bangunan yang terlalu tinggi.
Abdul Ghani menjelaskan, beliau percaya kerajaan sudah mengambil kira kesan minimum terhadap struktur tersebut kerana gegaran yang kecil sekalipun dikhuatiri boleh memberi kesan kepada binaan berkenaan.
Beliau mengulas kekhuatiran pelbagai pihak mengenai tahap ketahanan bangunan tinggi di negara ini selepas siri gempa bumi yang berlaku di Sumatera.
Sehingga semalam, lapan lagi gempa susulan dengan kekuatan sederhana dan lemah melanda Pulau Sumatera selepas gempa bumi pertama berukuran 8.4 pada skala Richter melanda Bengkulu pada 12 September lalu, yang mengorbankan 10 penduduk manakala berpuluh-puluh lagi dikhuatiri terperangkap bawah runtuhan bangunan.
Mengulas lanjut, Abdul Ghani memberitahu, kejadian gempa bumi pada ukuran 8.4 skala Richter itu cukup kuat untuk meranapkan bangunan di Sumatera tetapi ia tidak di Malaysia.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Control Measures Taken By DOE
1.Environmental Quality Act (EQA) 1974 was enacted to prevent, abate, control
pollution and enhance the quality of environment. The Department of Environment
administer and enforce the EQA 1974, and Section IV of the Economic Exclusive
Zone Act 1984.
2.Inspection and enforcement visits are being carried out to industrial premises to
ensure that industrial sectors comply with the Environmental Quality Act 1974:
3.Road side inspections on motor vehicles are conducted;
*Approved Facilities
*List of Aprroved Facilities
4.Aerial and ground surveillance on pollution sources are being carried out;
5.Air quality in the country is monitored for 24 hours to detect any changes in the
ambient air quality status that may cause harm to human health and the environment;
#Air Quality Monitoring
#Recommended Malaysian Air Quality Guidelines
#Air Pollutant Monitored
#Air Pollutant Index (API)
#Calculation of API (Flow Chart)
#Pollutant Measurement Technique
6.Awareness programme are conducted to educate public on the need to protect the
environment;
7.Initiate and promote research collaborations on relevant environmental area;
8.Participate in international negotiations on relevant environmental issues
Approved Facility
PROGRAMME FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF APPROVED FACILITY' FOR TESTING EMISSIONS FROM MOTOR VEHICLES
'APPROVED FACILITY' means a facility or place approved by the Director General which is equipped with the necessary smokemeter and/or gaseous meter and trained personnel for carrying out any smoke and gaseous emission test from motor vehicles.
PURPOSE
The purpose of establishing the 'Approved Facility' are as follows :-
i) To prepare testing facilities to enable the vehicle owners/drivers to send their vehicles (petrol or diesel) for testing their exhant emission (at their own cost).This would assist the vehicles owners / drivers to observe the level of their vehicle emission and its compliance to the environmental laws.
ii)To enable corrective action be immediately taken on the vehicle engines to stop emitting excessive smoke/gaseous (to stop pollution the environment)
LAW AND EMISSION LIMITS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.
Diesel :Environmental Quality (Control of Emission from diesel engine) Regulation, 1996
Vehicles enforced since September 1996.
Limit for Black Smoke : 50 Hartridge Smoke Unit ( HSU ) or 50 % opacity .
Emission
Petrol : Environment Quality (Control of Emission from Petrol Engine) Regulation, 1996.
Vehicles enforced since September 1996.
Limit for Gaseous : Vehicles of New Model
Emiission ( introduced after 1-1-1997 )
CO = 3.5 % ; HC = 600 ppm.
: Vehicles of Existing Model
( introduced before 1-1-1997 )
Co = 4.5 % ; HC = 800 ppm.
WHO SHOULD APPLY
1.Person/Company who own/operate:
i). Motor Vehicle Test Centre
ii). Motor Vehicle Service Centre
iii). Service Station ( Petrol Kiosks )
iv). Motor Vehicle Workshop
CRITERIA FOR OBTAINING RECOGNITION AS AN 'APPROVED FACILITY'
Motor Vehicle Test Centre / Service Centre/ Service Station / workshop that is equipped with:-
1. Smokemeter and/or CO & HC Analyzer.
2. Trained personnel prossessing the Certificate of Competency from Department of
Environment (DOE).
(DOE will conduct training and issue the Certificate of Competency to trainees which have undergone the DOE training).
(Training is given upon applications)
ISSUANCE OF THE 'APPROVED FACILITY' CERTIFICATE
'APPROVED FACILITY' Certificate would be issued to the applications by DOE as a recognition to facilities which fulfil the stipulated criteria.
HOW TO APPLY
1. Applicants need to fill the JAS/KYDL/01 Form obtainable at:-
i) /doe/KYDL/borangKYDL.pdf
ii) Department of Environment
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
Level 1-4, Podium 2 & 3, Lot 4G3, Presint 4
Federal Government Administrative Centre
62574 PUTRAJAYA
iii) The States Department of Environment Offices.
2. Returned the above Form to any of the DOE offices as above
NO CHARGE OR FEES WILL BE IMPOSED IN THE PROCESSING OF THE ABOVE ' APPROVED FACILITY'
BENEFITS OBTAINED BY THE APPLICANTS
Your Motor Vehicle Test Centre / Service Station / Workshop would be ' upgraded and recognized as an APPROVED FACILITY' for conducting exhant test from motor vehicles by the Department Of Environment Malaysia.
Department of Environment only recognizes vehicular emission test conducted by 'APPROVED FACILITY' in enforcing the environmental laws and regulations.
pollution and enhance the quality of environment. The Department of Environment
administer and enforce the EQA 1974, and Section IV of the Economic Exclusive
Zone Act 1984.
2.Inspection and enforcement visits are being carried out to industrial premises to
ensure that industrial sectors comply with the Environmental Quality Act 1974:
3.Road side inspections on motor vehicles are conducted;
*Approved Facilities
*List of Aprroved Facilities
4.Aerial and ground surveillance on pollution sources are being carried out;
5.Air quality in the country is monitored for 24 hours to detect any changes in the
ambient air quality status that may cause harm to human health and the environment;
#Air Quality Monitoring
#Recommended Malaysian Air Quality Guidelines
#Air Pollutant Monitored
#Air Pollutant Index (API)
#Calculation of API (Flow Chart)
#Pollutant Measurement Technique
6.Awareness programme are conducted to educate public on the need to protect the
environment;
7.Initiate and promote research collaborations on relevant environmental area;
8.Participate in international negotiations on relevant environmental issues
Approved Facility
PROGRAMME FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF APPROVED FACILITY' FOR TESTING EMISSIONS FROM MOTOR VEHICLES
'APPROVED FACILITY' means a facility or place approved by the Director General which is equipped with the necessary smokemeter and/or gaseous meter and trained personnel for carrying out any smoke and gaseous emission test from motor vehicles.
PURPOSE
The purpose of establishing the 'Approved Facility' are as follows :-
i) To prepare testing facilities to enable the vehicle owners/drivers to send their vehicles (petrol or diesel) for testing their exhant emission (at their own cost).This would assist the vehicles owners / drivers to observe the level of their vehicle emission and its compliance to the environmental laws.
ii)To enable corrective action be immediately taken on the vehicle engines to stop emitting excessive smoke/gaseous (to stop pollution the environment)
LAW AND EMISSION LIMITS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.
Diesel :Environmental Quality (Control of Emission from diesel engine) Regulation, 1996
Vehicles enforced since September 1996.
Limit for Black Smoke : 50 Hartridge Smoke Unit ( HSU ) or 50 % opacity .
Emission
Petrol : Environment Quality (Control of Emission from Petrol Engine) Regulation, 1996.
Vehicles enforced since September 1996.
Limit for Gaseous : Vehicles of New Model
Emiission ( introduced after 1-1-1997 )
CO = 3.5 % ; HC = 600 ppm.
: Vehicles of Existing Model
( introduced before 1-1-1997 )
Co = 4.5 % ; HC = 800 ppm.
WHO SHOULD APPLY
1.Person/Company who own/operate:
i). Motor Vehicle Test Centre
ii). Motor Vehicle Service Centre
iii). Service Station ( Petrol Kiosks )
iv). Motor Vehicle Workshop
CRITERIA FOR OBTAINING RECOGNITION AS AN 'APPROVED FACILITY'
Motor Vehicle Test Centre / Service Centre/ Service Station / workshop that is equipped with:-
1. Smokemeter and/or CO & HC Analyzer.
2. Trained personnel prossessing the Certificate of Competency from Department of
Environment (DOE).
(DOE will conduct training and issue the Certificate of Competency to trainees which have undergone the DOE training).
(Training is given upon applications)
ISSUANCE OF THE 'APPROVED FACILITY' CERTIFICATE
'APPROVED FACILITY' Certificate would be issued to the applications by DOE as a recognition to facilities which fulfil the stipulated criteria.
HOW TO APPLY
1. Applicants need to fill the JAS/KYDL/01 Form obtainable at:-
i) /doe/KYDL/borangKYDL.pdf
ii) Department of Environment
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
Level 1-4, Podium 2 & 3, Lot 4G3, Presint 4
Federal Government Administrative Centre
62574 PUTRAJAYA
iii) The States Department of Environment Offices.
2. Returned the above Form to any of the DOE offices as above
NO CHARGE OR FEES WILL BE IMPOSED IN THE PROCESSING OF THE ABOVE ' APPROVED FACILITY'
BENEFITS OBTAINED BY THE APPLICANTS
Your Motor Vehicle Test Centre / Service Station / Workshop would be ' upgraded and recognized as an APPROVED FACILITY' for conducting exhant test from motor vehicles by the Department Of Environment Malaysia.
Department of Environment only recognizes vehicular emission test conducted by 'APPROVED FACILITY' in enforcing the environmental laws and regulations.
Environmental Impact Assessment
What is Environmental Impact Assessment?
The aim of the environmental impact assessment is to assess the overall impact on the environment of development projects proposed by the public and private sectors. The objectives of environmental impact assessment are:
1.To examine and select the best from the project options available;
2.To identify and incorporate into the project plan appropriate abatement and
mitigating measures;
3.To predict significant residual environmental impacts;
4.To determine the significant residual environmental impacts predicted; and
5.To identify the environmental costs and benefits of the project to the community.
Why do we need EIA?
EIA is essentially a planning tool for preventing environmental problems due to an action. It seeks to avoid costly mistakes in project implementation, either because of the environmental damages that are likely to arise during project implementation, or because of modifications that may be required subsequently in order to make the action environmentally acceptable. In Malaysia, EIA is required under section 34A, Environmental Quality Act, 1974.
How to conduct EIA?
To assist you in the preparation of environmental impact assessment reports, you may refer to "A Handbook of Environmental Impact Assessment Guidelines" and EIA guidelines for specific activities published by the Department of Environment.
What are the EIA procedures?
The EIA procedure adopted in Malaysia consists of three major steps. The steps in the EIA procedure are as follows:
1.Preliminary assessment of all prescribed activities;
2.Detailed assessment of those prescribed activities for which significant residual
environmental impacts have been predicted in the preliminary assessment;
3.Review of assessment reports;
What are the steps of the EIA?
Preliminary Assessment
The objectives of Preliminary Assessment for prescribed activities are:
~to examine and select the best from the project options available.
~to identify and incorporate into the project plan appropriate abatement and mitigating
measures.
~to identify significant residual environmental impacts.
A Preliminary Assessment should normally be initiated during the early stages of project planning. Standard Procedural Steps are provided and the assessment might be conducted "in house", or by a consultant. Some form of public participation is mandatory. Environmental data collection may be necessary and close liaison between the assessor and relevant environment related agencies is encouraged. The results of Preliminary Assessment are reported formally for examination and approval by the project approving authority and the Director General of Environmental Quality. Preliminary Assessment requires resources that are a small proportion of the man-hours, money, skills and equipment committed to a pre-feasibility study and the assessment should be completed within the time frame of that study.
Detailed Assessment
The objectives of Detailed Assessment for prescribed activities with potentially significant residual environmental impact include :
1.to describe the significant residual environmental impacts predicted from the final project
plan;
2.to specify mitigating and abatement measures in the final project plan; and
3.to identify the environmental costs and benefits of the project to the community.
Detailed Assessment should continue during project planning until the project plan is finalised. Standard procedural steps are provided and specific terms of reference based on the results of Preliminary Assessment are issued for each project. The Assessment might be conducted "in house" or by a consultant. The assessment method is selected according to the nature of the project; some form of public participation is required. Environmental data collection is almost certainly necessary. The results of Detailed Assessment is reported formally.
The EIA Review Process
The objectives of Review for Prescribed Activities subjected to Detailed Assessment include:
1. to critically review the Detailed Assessment reports;
2. to evaluate development and environmental costs and benefits of the final project plan; and
3. to formulate recommendations and guidelines to the project approving authority relevant to the implementation of the project.
Review of EIA Reports is carried out internally by the DOE with the assistance from the relevant technical agencies for preliminary assessment reports and by an ad hoc Review Panel for detailed assessment reports. Recommendations arising out of the review are transmitted to the relevant project approving authorities for consideration in making a decision on the project. According to the DOE's Client Charter, the period allocated for a review of a term of reference (TOR) and EIA report are as follows:
Preliminary EIA Report - 5 weeks
Terms of Reference (TOR) for the preparation of Detailed EIA Report - 4 weeks
Detailed EIA Report - 12 weeks
The DOE maintains a list of experts who may be called upon to sit as members of any Review Panel established. The selection of the experts depends on the areas of environmental impacts to be reviewed.
Last Updated ( Friday, 17 August 2007 )
The aim of the environmental impact assessment is to assess the overall impact on the environment of development projects proposed by the public and private sectors. The objectives of environmental impact assessment are:
1.To examine and select the best from the project options available;
2.To identify and incorporate into the project plan appropriate abatement and
mitigating measures;
3.To predict significant residual environmental impacts;
4.To determine the significant residual environmental impacts predicted; and
5.To identify the environmental costs and benefits of the project to the community.
Why do we need EIA?
EIA is essentially a planning tool for preventing environmental problems due to an action. It seeks to avoid costly mistakes in project implementation, either because of the environmental damages that are likely to arise during project implementation, or because of modifications that may be required subsequently in order to make the action environmentally acceptable. In Malaysia, EIA is required under section 34A, Environmental Quality Act, 1974.
How to conduct EIA?
To assist you in the preparation of environmental impact assessment reports, you may refer to "A Handbook of Environmental Impact Assessment Guidelines" and EIA guidelines for specific activities published by the Department of Environment.
What are the EIA procedures?
The EIA procedure adopted in Malaysia consists of three major steps. The steps in the EIA procedure are as follows:
1.Preliminary assessment of all prescribed activities;
2.Detailed assessment of those prescribed activities for which significant residual
environmental impacts have been predicted in the preliminary assessment;
3.Review of assessment reports;
What are the steps of the EIA?
Preliminary Assessment
The objectives of Preliminary Assessment for prescribed activities are:
~to examine and select the best from the project options available.
~to identify and incorporate into the project plan appropriate abatement and mitigating
measures.
~to identify significant residual environmental impacts.
A Preliminary Assessment should normally be initiated during the early stages of project planning. Standard Procedural Steps are provided and the assessment might be conducted "in house", or by a consultant. Some form of public participation is mandatory. Environmental data collection may be necessary and close liaison between the assessor and relevant environment related agencies is encouraged. The results of Preliminary Assessment are reported formally for examination and approval by the project approving authority and the Director General of Environmental Quality. Preliminary Assessment requires resources that are a small proportion of the man-hours, money, skills and equipment committed to a pre-feasibility study and the assessment should be completed within the time frame of that study.
Detailed Assessment
The objectives of Detailed Assessment for prescribed activities with potentially significant residual environmental impact include :
1.to describe the significant residual environmental impacts predicted from the final project
plan;
2.to specify mitigating and abatement measures in the final project plan; and
3.to identify the environmental costs and benefits of the project to the community.
Detailed Assessment should continue during project planning until the project plan is finalised. Standard procedural steps are provided and specific terms of reference based on the results of Preliminary Assessment are issued for each project. The Assessment might be conducted "in house" or by a consultant. The assessment method is selected according to the nature of the project; some form of public participation is required. Environmental data collection is almost certainly necessary. The results of Detailed Assessment is reported formally.
The EIA Review Process
The objectives of Review for Prescribed Activities subjected to Detailed Assessment include:
1. to critically review the Detailed Assessment reports;
2. to evaluate development and environmental costs and benefits of the final project plan; and
3. to formulate recommendations and guidelines to the project approving authority relevant to the implementation of the project.
Review of EIA Reports is carried out internally by the DOE with the assistance from the relevant technical agencies for preliminary assessment reports and by an ad hoc Review Panel for detailed assessment reports. Recommendations arising out of the review are transmitted to the relevant project approving authorities for consideration in making a decision on the project. According to the DOE's Client Charter, the period allocated for a review of a term of reference (TOR) and EIA report are as follows:
Preliminary EIA Report - 5 weeks
Terms of Reference (TOR) for the preparation of Detailed EIA Report - 4 weeks
Detailed EIA Report - 12 weeks
The DOE maintains a list of experts who may be called upon to sit as members of any Review Panel established. The selection of the experts depends on the areas of environmental impacts to be reviewed.
Last Updated ( Friday, 17 August 2007 )
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Ukay Heights project is safe
By BAVANI M
THE 61.54-acre site in Ukay Heights, near the Taman Hijau Apartments, which has been earmarked for a mixed development project was vetted by over 13 government agencies including the Public Works Institute (Ikram) and the Department of Environment (DOE).
According to a source from the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) it went through stringent regulation check and technical experts from the various agencies had scrutinised the drawings and proposals put forward by the developer.
MAA senior managing consultant (property and project development) Ho Chin Hoy said a comprehensive master plan had been thought out to support the development that comprised office and residential space.
“Concerns of safety pertaining to hill slope development have been looked into thoroughly. Apart from the fact that the project is of low-density – the lowest in Malaysia, work being carried out on the engineered slopes are also known to be the safest,’’ he said.
Ho said extensive and relevant soil test were also carried out to address some of the concerns voiced by residents.
"Work will be carried out on the terrain, with minimal slope cutting, and land filling and regular and close monitoring of slopes,’’ Ho said.
Ho also pointed out that the development is located over 53 metres away from the Taman Hijau apartments and will not be bordering their backyard.
Residents were concerned that a retaining wall would be built too close to their backyard as a buffer, but MAA assured them that the boundary is no where near the vicinity of the apartments.
Ho said the company had even revised the layout plans five times to meet guidelines.
“As a responsible landowner we have done everything that we possibly can to make it right,’’ Ho said, adding that repeated attempts to meet the residents to discuss details of the project proved futile.
“Everything is as transparent as can be,'' he said, adding the development will improve the stability of the existing slopes, the infrastructure and overall image of the area.
The proposed development had been scrutinized by the Public Works Department, Drainage and Irrigation Department, TNB, Syabas, Town Planning Department, Health Department, District Land Office and other agencies.
The following reports and assessment were also carried out: Geotechnical Assessment Report, Independent Geotechnical Audit Report, Traffic Impact Assessment Report, Environment Impact Assessment Report, Environmental Management Plan, Geology Terrain Mapping Report, Geology Physical Mapping Report, Soil Investigation Report, Soil Erosion Assessment Report and Proposed Development Report.
Ho said that all information pertaining to the development could be obtained at the info kiosk located at the MPAJ building lobby area.
The project is a mixed development involving 149 bungalows and 460 shop/office units in a 10-storey building.
The objection hearing on the project is being held today at MPAJ.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Residents want a proper study
By SALINA KHALID
MEDAN Damansara residents are up in arms against the proposed development on a slope near their houses. They say the project should at least be postponed until a proper study has been conducted.
A group of 30 residents gathered at the site on Monday to voice their objections and ask for a meeting with the Kuala Lumpur mayor.
Medan Damansara Residents Association president Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Shukor Abdullah said their main concern is the safety of the residents if the project were to be allowed.
“There have been several landslides at the slope.
“Now, we are worried about the possibility of what could happen if the development is carried out,” he said.
He added that the slope's gradient was more than 30°, making it unsafe for development.
Also present were Segambut MP Datuk Dr Tan Kee Kwong and Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad.
Dr Abdul Shukor also expressed his dissatisfaction over the decision by DBKL to allow such a development.
“This is the only green lung in the area and the earlier developer SPPK (Syarikat Perumahan Pegawai Kerajaan) promised to keep it as such.
“Now DBKL has approved development and we were not consulted at all,” he said.
He added that developing the site would also cause environmental harm.
The residents association had also requested that City Hall disclose documents including the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) and DBKL Geological reports on the development.
Medan Damansara was developed about 40 years ago for government servants. Now, a majority of them have retired from their service in the public sector.
Dr Abdul Shukor said the land, measuring more than five hectares, has been approved for 21 bungalow units.
Shahrir said the authorities should abide by the rules and guidelines especially when it comes to such developments to avoid unnecessary expenses later on.
“We have had several development projects which gave problems including landslides and other defects which only cost more money to rectify them.
“PAC does not want to see any implausible expenses by the government which could have been avoided,” he said, urging City Hall to also consider the voice of the residents.
Meanwhile, Dr Tan also said DBKL should have considered the voice of the residents and met with them prior to giving the green light.
Dr Tan added that he would write a letter to the mayor soon and would also bring the matter to the Federal Territory Action Council Meeting.
MEDAN Damansara residents are up in arms against the proposed development on a slope near their houses. They say the project should at least be postponed until a proper study has been conducted.
A group of 30 residents gathered at the site on Monday to voice their objections and ask for a meeting with the Kuala Lumpur mayor.
Medan Damansara Residents Association president Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Shukor Abdullah said their main concern is the safety of the residents if the project were to be allowed.
“There have been several landslides at the slope.
“Now, we are worried about the possibility of what could happen if the development is carried out,” he said.
He added that the slope's gradient was more than 30°, making it unsafe for development.
Also present were Segambut MP Datuk Dr Tan Kee Kwong and Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad.
Dr Abdul Shukor also expressed his dissatisfaction over the decision by DBKL to allow such a development.
“This is the only green lung in the area and the earlier developer SPPK (Syarikat Perumahan Pegawai Kerajaan) promised to keep it as such.
“Now DBKL has approved development and we were not consulted at all,” he said.
He added that developing the site would also cause environmental harm.
The residents association had also requested that City Hall disclose documents including the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) and DBKL Geological reports on the development.
Medan Damansara was developed about 40 years ago for government servants. Now, a majority of them have retired from their service in the public sector.
Dr Abdul Shukor said the land, measuring more than five hectares, has been approved for 21 bungalow units.
Shahrir said the authorities should abide by the rules and guidelines especially when it comes to such developments to avoid unnecessary expenses later on.
“We have had several development projects which gave problems including landslides and other defects which only cost more money to rectify them.
“PAC does not want to see any implausible expenses by the government which could have been avoided,” he said, urging City Hall to also consider the voice of the residents.
Meanwhile, Dr Tan also said DBKL should have considered the voice of the residents and met with them prior to giving the green light.
Dr Tan added that he would write a letter to the mayor soon and would also bring the matter to the Federal Territory Action Council Meeting.
EIA study for Bintulu smelter
By SHARON LING
KUCHING: Rio Tinto Aluminium has appointed local environmental consultant Chemsain Konsultant Sdn Bhd and URS Australia Pty Ltd to conduct an environmental impact assessment (EIA) study for the proposed US$2bil (RM6.9bil) aluminium smelter in Bintulu.
The EIA, which is expected to take 15 months to complete, will include studies on air quality, noise, flora and fauna, land use and social impact.
Waste management, transport, surface water and groundwater impacts will also be included.
The proposed smelter, which will be known as Sarawak Aluminium Co (Salco), is a joint venture between Rio Tinto and Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd (CMSB).
Rio Tinto's general manager (smelter project development) Matt Liddy said the EIA was the first step towards ensuring all aspects of the environment are taken into account in the project.
"Respect for the environment is a fundamental part of Salco's approach and the study will ensure a smelter operation that uses world-class environmental management practices.
"We take these responsibilities seriously and environmental protection will be an integral part of the management of the smelter during construction and in operations," he said in a statement Tuesday.
The EIA study outcome will be used to optimise the design of the smelter and to prepare environmental management plans for Salco's construction and operation, he added.
KUCHING: Rio Tinto Aluminium has appointed local environmental consultant Chemsain Konsultant Sdn Bhd and URS Australia Pty Ltd to conduct an environmental impact assessment (EIA) study for the proposed US$2bil (RM6.9bil) aluminium smelter in Bintulu.
The EIA, which is expected to take 15 months to complete, will include studies on air quality, noise, flora and fauna, land use and social impact.
Waste management, transport, surface water and groundwater impacts will also be included.
The proposed smelter, which will be known as Sarawak Aluminium Co (Salco), is a joint venture between Rio Tinto and Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd (CMSB).
Rio Tinto's general manager (smelter project development) Matt Liddy said the EIA was the first step towards ensuring all aspects of the environment are taken into account in the project.
"Respect for the environment is a fundamental part of Salco's approach and the study will ensure a smelter operation that uses world-class environmental management practices.
"We take these responsibilities seriously and environmental protection will be an integral part of the management of the smelter during construction and in operations," he said in a statement Tuesday.
The EIA study outcome will be used to optimise the design of the smelter and to prepare environmental management plans for Salco's construction and operation, he added.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
An avenue for Ukay Heights folks
By BAVANI M
COME Wednesday, the residents of Ukay Heights will be coming forward for a third time to voice out their objections to the Ampang Jaya Muni-cipal Council (MPAJ) over a proposed hill side development in their neighbourhood. While the developers insist that they have followed all the rules and regulations pertaining to the hillside development, residents are still sceptical.
Tengku Rozani Putra was busy laying out the placards neatly together. The words in bright red read: MPAJ Please Learn From Your Mistakes were simple enough, but she wonders if they ever would learn.
"It’s common sense! It’s so simple, yet why do they not see the truth,’’ she sighed.
Tengku Rozani, a long time resident of Ukay Heights said that she was unable to understand why the authorities did not learn from past mistakes.
She was helping out with the preparation for the MPAJ up-coming objection hearing on Wednes-day with residents of Ukay Heights at the Taman Hijau apartments recently.
Residents from nearby areas had gathered and are busy preparing the placards and notes ready.
The first two meetings were deemed null and void due to technical matters and discrepancies between the notice sent to residents and the development proposal that was announced by the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ).
The objection hearing is being carried out for a mixed development project involving 149 bungalows and 460 shop lots in a 10-storey building.
Like many others, Tengku Roza-ni feels that the project should not have been considered in the first place.
She is afraid and no one can blame her after the tragic High-land Tower, Taman Hillview and Zooview incidents that claimed innocent lives.
“I paid a deposit to buy a unit in Highland Towers years ago, so did my mother and aunt. And not long after that the tower came down.
“I then bought a house in Zoo-view and lived there for nine years, and then the Zooview landslide happened.
“Last November I moved into Taman Hijau and now this. It's frustrating that they (MPAJ) never learn. All it takes is some rain and some soil movements for disaster to happen. I guess we just have to keep fighting and protesting,'' she said.
Taman Hijau residents’ association president Datuk Abdul Aziz said the residents were totally against the development, as it did not comply with regulations on hill slope development.
“Nothing has changed – the whole project is still contravening guidelines on hill slope development. The layout of the project is the same- despite the changes made, there is still going to be a lot of tree cutting activities and land filling. The original landscape of the area will be gone,'' Aziz said.
Taman Hijau Apartments Com-mittee chairman Datuk Mus-tapha Mahmud said that he was disappointed with MPAJ for not providing residents with a proper avenue to access all the geological, EIA reports and maps pertaining to the proposed project.
“We have to go to MPAJ and view the documents at an info kiosk situated in their lobby area.
“No room is provided to look through the maps and reports for privacy purposes. No copies are provided for inspection, no pictures are allowed to be taken. As layman we need time to look at the reports and this is really strange behaviour from a government department,'' Mustapha said.
“The greatest fear with any hillside development project is the pressure that might be exerted on the hill slope during heavy rain,'' said Aziz, adding that the felling of trees was also going to lead to the weakening of soil and cause massive erosion and even flooding.
When contacted, the developer Malaysian Assurance Alliance Bhd (MAA) said that the development was one of the lowest density developments in Malaysia with three units per acre.
“We are building along the terrain, there is no heavy cutting, or land filling and it is of low density. We have spent millions on technical reports and went through 13 government agencies scrutinising our proposals and drawings.
The proposed development have been scrutinised by the Public Works Department, Ikram, TNB, Syabas, Town Planning De-partment, Health Department, District Land Office and other agencies.
The following reports and as-sessment were also carried out: Geotechnical Assessment Report, Independent Geotechnical Audit Report, Traffic Impact Assess- ment Report, Environment Impact Assessment Report, Environmen-tal Management Plan, Geology Terrain Mapping Report, Geology Physical Mapping Report, Soil In-vestigation Report, Soil Erosion Assessment Report and Proposed Development Report.
“We have revised the layout plans five times. Everything is as transparent as can be,'' he said, adding the development will im-prove the stability of the existing slopes, the infrastructure and overall image of the area.
COME Wednesday, the residents of Ukay Heights will be coming forward for a third time to voice out their objections to the Ampang Jaya Muni-cipal Council (MPAJ) over a proposed hill side development in their neighbourhood. While the developers insist that they have followed all the rules and regulations pertaining to the hillside development, residents are still sceptical.
Tengku Rozani Putra was busy laying out the placards neatly together. The words in bright red read: MPAJ Please Learn From Your Mistakes were simple enough, but she wonders if they ever would learn.
"It’s common sense! It’s so simple, yet why do they not see the truth,’’ she sighed.
Tengku Rozani, a long time resident of Ukay Heights said that she was unable to understand why the authorities did not learn from past mistakes.
She was helping out with the preparation for the MPAJ up-coming objection hearing on Wednes-day with residents of Ukay Heights at the Taman Hijau apartments recently.
Residents from nearby areas had gathered and are busy preparing the placards and notes ready.
The first two meetings were deemed null and void due to technical matters and discrepancies between the notice sent to residents and the development proposal that was announced by the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ).
The objection hearing is being carried out for a mixed development project involving 149 bungalows and 460 shop lots in a 10-storey building.
Like many others, Tengku Roza-ni feels that the project should not have been considered in the first place.
She is afraid and no one can blame her after the tragic High-land Tower, Taman Hillview and Zooview incidents that claimed innocent lives.
“I paid a deposit to buy a unit in Highland Towers years ago, so did my mother and aunt. And not long after that the tower came down.
“I then bought a house in Zoo-view and lived there for nine years, and then the Zooview landslide happened.
“Last November I moved into Taman Hijau and now this. It's frustrating that they (MPAJ) never learn. All it takes is some rain and some soil movements for disaster to happen. I guess we just have to keep fighting and protesting,'' she said.
Taman Hijau residents’ association president Datuk Abdul Aziz said the residents were totally against the development, as it did not comply with regulations on hill slope development.
“Nothing has changed – the whole project is still contravening guidelines on hill slope development. The layout of the project is the same- despite the changes made, there is still going to be a lot of tree cutting activities and land filling. The original landscape of the area will be gone,'' Aziz said.
Taman Hijau Apartments Com-mittee chairman Datuk Mus-tapha Mahmud said that he was disappointed with MPAJ for not providing residents with a proper avenue to access all the geological, EIA reports and maps pertaining to the proposed project.
“We have to go to MPAJ and view the documents at an info kiosk situated in their lobby area.
“No room is provided to look through the maps and reports for privacy purposes. No copies are provided for inspection, no pictures are allowed to be taken. As layman we need time to look at the reports and this is really strange behaviour from a government department,'' Mustapha said.
“The greatest fear with any hillside development project is the pressure that might be exerted on the hill slope during heavy rain,'' said Aziz, adding that the felling of trees was also going to lead to the weakening of soil and cause massive erosion and even flooding.
When contacted, the developer Malaysian Assurance Alliance Bhd (MAA) said that the development was one of the lowest density developments in Malaysia with three units per acre.
“We are building along the terrain, there is no heavy cutting, or land filling and it is of low density. We have spent millions on technical reports and went through 13 government agencies scrutinising our proposals and drawings.
The proposed development have been scrutinised by the Public Works Department, Ikram, TNB, Syabas, Town Planning De-partment, Health Department, District Land Office and other agencies.
The following reports and as-sessment were also carried out: Geotechnical Assessment Report, Independent Geotechnical Audit Report, Traffic Impact Assess- ment Report, Environment Impact Assessment Report, Environmen-tal Management Plan, Geology Terrain Mapping Report, Geology Physical Mapping Report, Soil In-vestigation Report, Soil Erosion Assessment Report and Proposed Development Report.
“We have revised the layout plans five times. Everything is as transparent as can be,'' he said, adding the development will im-prove the stability of the existing slopes, the infrastructure and overall image of the area.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Burden on proof to be put on those found with logs
Tuesday September 18, 2007
By MAZWIN NIK ANIS
PUTRAJAYA: Laws will soon be changed to place the burden of proof on those found in possession of logs instead of the authorities having to prove that the logs were obtained illegally.
The amendment to the National Forestry Act, to be made within the next few months, will see those suspected for carrying out illegal logging, having to prove the commodity was obtained from legal sources. Failing which, they will be deemed to have obtained the logs through illegal means.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the new law would enable better prosecution of those involved in illegal logging, which does not only cause damage to the environment but also tarnishes Malaysia's image in the eyes of the world.
Najib admitted that prosecuting those who log illegally was currently difficult and even though cases were brought to court, the level of success was small.
"This is because the need for burden of proof is high. We will fare better with this fundamental shift in the law, which we believe will be a sufficient deterrent.
"We will also be using new technologies, including remote sensing to detect areas where such activities take place," he said, after chairing the National Forestry Council's 21st meeting on Tuesday.
He said illegal logging was a multi-dimensional issue as apart from it affecting the Government's policy in providing sustainable management to the environment, it also gave Malaysia a bad image.
"The country's wood industry is worth RM23bil a year and if developed countries take action against us for illegal logging activities, it will affect the economy.
"We also have to consider the transboundary issue where logs sought illegally are brought into the country either to be exported or to be used illegally by the local factories," he said, adding that between 2004 and 2006, a total of 166 illegal logging cases were recorded at permanent forest reserves.
Najib said Pahang, Perak and Kedah top the list of illegal logging activities being recorded but "the biggest destruction is in Kelantan". He added that in the case of land clearing in Lojing Highlands in Kelantan, the state government had de-gazetted the area, making activities there legal.
"The biggest destruction (of forest) is in Kelantan but the state has circumvented it. I do not know if we can prosecute them as the logging was legal with the state de-gazetting the area," he said.
Earlier this year, The Star broke the story about the lush forest reserves in Lojing being logged almost bare by 22 companies, of which only five had their Environmental Impact Assessment approved.
Najib also asked states to look for new areas to be gazetted for water catchment, adding areas totalling more than 800,000ha had been gazetted for the purpose.
By MAZWIN NIK ANIS
PUTRAJAYA: Laws will soon be changed to place the burden of proof on those found in possession of logs instead of the authorities having to prove that the logs were obtained illegally.
The amendment to the National Forestry Act, to be made within the next few months, will see those suspected for carrying out illegal logging, having to prove the commodity was obtained from legal sources. Failing which, they will be deemed to have obtained the logs through illegal means.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the new law would enable better prosecution of those involved in illegal logging, which does not only cause damage to the environment but also tarnishes Malaysia's image in the eyes of the world.
Najib admitted that prosecuting those who log illegally was currently difficult and even though cases were brought to court, the level of success was small.
"This is because the need for burden of proof is high. We will fare better with this fundamental shift in the law, which we believe will be a sufficient deterrent.
"We will also be using new technologies, including remote sensing to detect areas where such activities take place," he said, after chairing the National Forestry Council's 21st meeting on Tuesday.
He said illegal logging was a multi-dimensional issue as apart from it affecting the Government's policy in providing sustainable management to the environment, it also gave Malaysia a bad image.
"The country's wood industry is worth RM23bil a year and if developed countries take action against us for illegal logging activities, it will affect the economy.
"We also have to consider the transboundary issue where logs sought illegally are brought into the country either to be exported or to be used illegally by the local factories," he said, adding that between 2004 and 2006, a total of 166 illegal logging cases were recorded at permanent forest reserves.
Najib said Pahang, Perak and Kedah top the list of illegal logging activities being recorded but "the biggest destruction is in Kelantan". He added that in the case of land clearing in Lojing Highlands in Kelantan, the state government had de-gazetted the area, making activities there legal.
"The biggest destruction (of forest) is in Kelantan but the state has circumvented it. I do not know if we can prosecute them as the logging was legal with the state de-gazetting the area," he said.
Earlier this year, The Star broke the story about the lush forest reserves in Lojing being logged almost bare by 22 companies, of which only five had their Environmental Impact Assessment approved.
Najib also asked states to look for new areas to be gazetted for water catchment, adding areas totalling more than 800,000ha had been gazetted for the purpose.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Now it’s ‘cut and paste’ EIA reports
LUMUT: The "cut and paste" syndrome has now been found in environmental impact assessments (EIA) reports, which shows that some consultants have been unethical and have not made a real study, said the Perak Department of Environment (DOE).
There were cases where consultants copied directly from EIAs of other projects, said state DOE deputy director (development) Norazizi Adinan yesterday.
"I have examples, but I won’t reveal them because it will make matters worse," he said at a seminar to increase the comprehension and quality of EIA reports at Teluk Batik near here.
There was also reports which had poor graphics, including the topography maps, figures, photographs, graphs, contour and terrain maps. Norazizi added that some even omitted facts such as the presence of squatters and asked the DOE to "assume that they aren’t there".
Norazizi also complained of inconsistent information submitted in the EIA, differences in the translation of the executive summary, the lack of in-depth analysis and the failure of consultants to provide additional information as requested by the department.
"I’m sorry to have to say this, but some consultants are not prepared to make a presentation because they don’t even know the contents of their own report."
Norazizi said some failed to comply with specific EIA guidelines and depended on DOE officers to do the checks and corrections.
Due to the report problems and the poor quality reports, 34 of the 120 reports submitted to DOE Perak between 2000 and last year were rejected, he said.
Norazizi estimated that about 10 per cent of the 26 reports submitted this year suffered the same fate.
Asked to rate the quality of EIA reports, Perak DOE director Abu Hasan Mohd Isa said that they were neither excellent nor good, but merely "fair" and had room for improvement.
The consultants, hired by the project owners, emphasised the positive elements of the project and hid the negative elements.
DOE would begin blacklisting unethical consultants by Oct 1 and only accept EIA reports from registered consultants.
State Environment Committee chairman Datuk Tan Chin Meng, when launching the seminar, said EIA reports should not be viewed as a document to fulfil legal requirements, but should contain realistic and comprehensive studies on all elements of the environment.
Earlier, Norazizi said DOE officers were also involved in making an EIA reports for projects of public importance and that the long approval process were due to late submissions, difficulties in getting a date for pre-EIA visits with consultants and incomplete reports.
There were pressures from both state interests and developers for the DOE to approve the EIA report, leading to some projects not being sufficiently studied, he said.
Part of the problem was also because environmental concerns were not incorporated into national and regional policies and programmes but only considered when planning and implementing specific projects, he said
There were cases where consultants copied directly from EIAs of other projects, said state DOE deputy director (development) Norazizi Adinan yesterday.
"I have examples, but I won’t reveal them because it will make matters worse," he said at a seminar to increase the comprehension and quality of EIA reports at Teluk Batik near here.
There was also reports which had poor graphics, including the topography maps, figures, photographs, graphs, contour and terrain maps. Norazizi added that some even omitted facts such as the presence of squatters and asked the DOE to "assume that they aren’t there".
Norazizi also complained of inconsistent information submitted in the EIA, differences in the translation of the executive summary, the lack of in-depth analysis and the failure of consultants to provide additional information as requested by the department.
"I’m sorry to have to say this, but some consultants are not prepared to make a presentation because they don’t even know the contents of their own report."
Norazizi said some failed to comply with specific EIA guidelines and depended on DOE officers to do the checks and corrections.
Due to the report problems and the poor quality reports, 34 of the 120 reports submitted to DOE Perak between 2000 and last year were rejected, he said.
Norazizi estimated that about 10 per cent of the 26 reports submitted this year suffered the same fate.
Asked to rate the quality of EIA reports, Perak DOE director Abu Hasan Mohd Isa said that they were neither excellent nor good, but merely "fair" and had room for improvement.
The consultants, hired by the project owners, emphasised the positive elements of the project and hid the negative elements.
DOE would begin blacklisting unethical consultants by Oct 1 and only accept EIA reports from registered consultants.
State Environment Committee chairman Datuk Tan Chin Meng, when launching the seminar, said EIA reports should not be viewed as a document to fulfil legal requirements, but should contain realistic and comprehensive studies on all elements of the environment.
Earlier, Norazizi said DOE officers were also involved in making an EIA reports for projects of public importance and that the long approval process were due to late submissions, difficulties in getting a date for pre-EIA visits with consultants and incomplete reports.
There were pressures from both state interests and developers for the DOE to approve the EIA report, leading to some projects not being sufficiently studied, he said.
Part of the problem was also because environmental concerns were not incorporated into national and regional policies and programmes but only considered when planning and implementing specific projects, he said
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Environmental Assessments: EIA process is not red tape
WWF-Malaysia views with concern the recommendation made by the Special Task Force to Facilitate Business (Pemudah) that the approval of environmental impact assessments (EIAs) be shortened from three months to five weeks in an effort to improve the public delivery system.
Although it is not entirely clear how the quicker timeframe for approval will be accommodated, WWF-Malaysia is fearful that this move will compromise public participation in the EIA process.
In Peninsular Malaysia, EIAs have been divided into Preliminary EIAs and Detailed EIAs.
Currently, public participation is only solicited for Detailed EIAs, and a month is given for the public to review EIA reports in public offices during office hours.
EIAs have long been recognised as an essential planning tool for effective environmental management.
This ensures that the importance of the predicted impacts and the measures for mitigating them are properly understood by the public, stakeholders and the relevant authorities before a decision is made.
Public participation is an integral part of the EIA process of a proposed project and brings numerous benefits.
Well-planned and timely public participation and consultation not only contributes to the successful design of the project but also enhances the effectiveness of the EIA process itself.
The public can provide valuable information. Therefore, the public’s views and opinions should be taken into account in the final decision.
Public participation also ensures that the EIA process is open and transparent and based on justifiable analyses.
Furthermore, the importance of fostering increased public participation in environmental decision-making has been recognised at the international level through numerous international environmental treaties, many of which Malaysia is a party to.
The EIA process must not be viewed as red tape that hinders a project.
There are numerous benefits of conducting an EIA at the planning stage, among which is to arrive at best practice prediction and measures to mitigate a project’s adverse effects.
WWF-Malaysia is of the opinion that rather than looking into minimising the so-called red tape of the EIA process, efforts should be made to address inherent weaknesses in the current system which undermines the whole process.
One glaring weakness is that, in reality, a project is designed and the site is predetermined and approved by the authorities even before an EIA is commissioned.
Therefore, EIAs which are consequently prepared normally seek to justify the pre-chosen option and site rather than evaluating all design and site options and recommending the option which will cause the least impact.
Recently, the Department of Environment has taken steps to improve the EIA process and these include posting summaries of Detailed EIAs on the department’s website and introducing a registration scheme for EIA consultants.
WWF-Malaysia welcomes these initiatives and hopes that more positive steps are taken to make the EIA process more robust.
This will include making the terms of reference for EIAs and Preliminary EIAs available to the public for review, and institutionalising public participation in the Environmental Quality Act 1974.
Although it is not entirely clear how the quicker timeframe for approval will be accommodated, WWF-Malaysia is fearful that this move will compromise public participation in the EIA process.
In Peninsular Malaysia, EIAs have been divided into Preliminary EIAs and Detailed EIAs.
Currently, public participation is only solicited for Detailed EIAs, and a month is given for the public to review EIA reports in public offices during office hours.
EIAs have long been recognised as an essential planning tool for effective environmental management.
This ensures that the importance of the predicted impacts and the measures for mitigating them are properly understood by the public, stakeholders and the relevant authorities before a decision is made.
Public participation is an integral part of the EIA process of a proposed project and brings numerous benefits.
Well-planned and timely public participation and consultation not only contributes to the successful design of the project but also enhances the effectiveness of the EIA process itself.
The public can provide valuable information. Therefore, the public’s views and opinions should be taken into account in the final decision.
Public participation also ensures that the EIA process is open and transparent and based on justifiable analyses.
Furthermore, the importance of fostering increased public participation in environmental decision-making has been recognised at the international level through numerous international environmental treaties, many of which Malaysia is a party to.
The EIA process must not be viewed as red tape that hinders a project.
There are numerous benefits of conducting an EIA at the planning stage, among which is to arrive at best practice prediction and measures to mitigate a project’s adverse effects.
WWF-Malaysia is of the opinion that rather than looking into minimising the so-called red tape of the EIA process, efforts should be made to address inherent weaknesses in the current system which undermines the whole process.
One glaring weakness is that, in reality, a project is designed and the site is predetermined and approved by the authorities even before an EIA is commissioned.
Therefore, EIAs which are consequently prepared normally seek to justify the pre-chosen option and site rather than evaluating all design and site options and recommending the option which will cause the least impact.
Recently, the Department of Environment has taken steps to improve the EIA process and these include posting summaries of Detailed EIAs on the department’s website and introducing a registration scheme for EIA consultants.
WWF-Malaysia welcomes these initiatives and hopes that more positive steps are taken to make the EIA process more robust.
This will include making the terms of reference for EIAs and Preliminary EIAs available to the public for review, and institutionalising public participation in the Environmental Quality Act 1974.
Law against illegal logging to be made tougher
Tuesday September 18, 2007
MYT 6:15:47 PM
The Star
PUTRAJAYA: The National Forestry Act, 1984 will be amended soon to ensure more effective prosecution of illegal loggers and those who buy illegally felled timber.
Under amendments to be made soon, those suspected of carrying out illegal logging would have to prove that the timber was obtained legally.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the new law would enable better prosecution of those involved in illegal logging, which damages the environment and tarnishes Malaysia’s image globally.
Najib admitted that prosecuting illegal loggers was difficult, and even if cases were brought to court, the level of success was low.
“This is because the need for burden of proof is high. We will be able to fare better with this fundamental shift in law, which we believe will be a sufficient deterrent. “We will also be using new technologies, including remote sensing, to detect areas where such activities take place,” he said after chairing the National Forestry Council’s 21st meeting Tuesday.
He said between 2004 and 2006, a total of 166 illegal logging cases were recorded in permanent forest reserves. Pahang, Perak and Kedah were high in the list of illegal logging activities.
However, he said the biggest destructions were in Kelantan where the state government had de-gazetted the Lojing Highlands area, making land-clearing activities there legal.
Earlier this year, The Star broke the story about the lush forest reserves in Lojing being logged almost bare by 22 companies, of which only five had Environmental Impact Assessments approved.
“I do not know if we can prosecute them as the logging is legal with the state having de-gazetted the area,” he said.
Najib also asked states to look for new areas to be gazetted for water catchments, adding areas totalling more than 800,000ha has been gazetted for the purpose.
MYT 6:15:47 PM
The Star
PUTRAJAYA: The National Forestry Act, 1984 will be amended soon to ensure more effective prosecution of illegal loggers and those who buy illegally felled timber.
Under amendments to be made soon, those suspected of carrying out illegal logging would have to prove that the timber was obtained legally.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the new law would enable better prosecution of those involved in illegal logging, which damages the environment and tarnishes Malaysia’s image globally.
Najib admitted that prosecuting illegal loggers was difficult, and even if cases were brought to court, the level of success was low.
“This is because the need for burden of proof is high. We will be able to fare better with this fundamental shift in law, which we believe will be a sufficient deterrent. “We will also be using new technologies, including remote sensing, to detect areas where such activities take place,” he said after chairing the National Forestry Council’s 21st meeting Tuesday.
He said between 2004 and 2006, a total of 166 illegal logging cases were recorded in permanent forest reserves. Pahang, Perak and Kedah were high in the list of illegal logging activities.
However, he said the biggest destructions were in Kelantan where the state government had de-gazetted the Lojing Highlands area, making land-clearing activities there legal.
Earlier this year, The Star broke the story about the lush forest reserves in Lojing being logged almost bare by 22 companies, of which only five had Environmental Impact Assessments approved.
“I do not know if we can prosecute them as the logging is legal with the state having de-gazetted the area,” he said.
Najib also asked states to look for new areas to be gazetted for water catchments, adding areas totalling more than 800,000ha has been gazetted for the purpose.
Govt to close down 16 ‘critical” dumpsites
Monday September 17, 2007
MYT 10:34:28 PM
KUALA LUMPUR: The Government has identified 16 “critical” dumpsites that need to be closed immediately, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
The Deputy Prime Minister said this would be done in a safe, sanitary and environmentally friendly manner and that RM160mil had been approved for this purpose.
“We have appointed a consultant to do a study. We should be ready to award the contracts by next year,” he said Monday at the rehabilitated Taman Beringin Landfill, which he described as a "model".
“This is a fine example. I wanted to see for myself what they had done, and it is obvious we have local technical capacity. We have the technology to turn something smelly and stinking into a pleasant, clean place with a potential to become a park."
“It is a matter of pride when a local company can carry out a job like this. We don’t need foreign expertise for this,” he added.
The Taman Beringin dumpsite was a 40m mountain of rubbish last year but it has now been transformed into a green hill with a great view of the city. Cypark Sdn Bhd carried out the RM33mil restoration work.
Asked about the time frame to close all 16 dumpsites, which are mostly located within the Klang Valley, Najib said:
“We want it done as soon as possible but this depends on when the contracts are awarded and the time needed (to close and restore it).”
Najib said if there were a need for new ones, they would either be sanitary landfills or incinerators.
“We are looking at the possibility of using incinerators. But if we want to use incinerators, we must use the appropriate technology,” he added.
He said the Government had received various proposals that were being studied by a technical committee under the Housing and Local Government Ministry.
The Government, he said, was committed to protecting the environment and that Kuala Lumpur needed more green lungs so that it would be known as a garden city.
Cypark CEO Daud Ahmad said it would take about 10 years for the restored dumpsite to be safe for recreational park.
MYT 10:34:28 PM
KUALA LUMPUR: The Government has identified 16 “critical” dumpsites that need to be closed immediately, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
The Deputy Prime Minister said this would be done in a safe, sanitary and environmentally friendly manner and that RM160mil had been approved for this purpose.
“We have appointed a consultant to do a study. We should be ready to award the contracts by next year,” he said Monday at the rehabilitated Taman Beringin Landfill, which he described as a "model".
“This is a fine example. I wanted to see for myself what they had done, and it is obvious we have local technical capacity. We have the technology to turn something smelly and stinking into a pleasant, clean place with a potential to become a park."
“It is a matter of pride when a local company can carry out a job like this. We don’t need foreign expertise for this,” he added.
The Taman Beringin dumpsite was a 40m mountain of rubbish last year but it has now been transformed into a green hill with a great view of the city. Cypark Sdn Bhd carried out the RM33mil restoration work.
Asked about the time frame to close all 16 dumpsites, which are mostly located within the Klang Valley, Najib said:
“We want it done as soon as possible but this depends on when the contracts are awarded and the time needed (to close and restore it).”
Najib said if there were a need for new ones, they would either be sanitary landfills or incinerators.
“We are looking at the possibility of using incinerators. But if we want to use incinerators, we must use the appropriate technology,” he added.
He said the Government had received various proposals that were being studied by a technical committee under the Housing and Local Government Ministry.
The Government, he said, was committed to protecting the environment and that Kuala Lumpur needed more green lungs so that it would be known as a garden city.
Cypark CEO Daud Ahmad said it would take about 10 years for the restored dumpsite to be safe for recreational park.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Sabah & Sarawak: Empat kilang kena kompaun
Oleh Mohd Azrone Sarabatin
Premis langgar akta diarah henti salur habuk kayu, minyak hitam terpakai hingga cemar Kuala Merotai, jejas nelayan
KOTA KINABALU: Empat kilang papan yang dikesan mencemar Kuala Merotai di Tawau sehingga menyebabkan 2,000 nelayan kecil kehilangan sumber pendapatan, disahkan melanggar Akta Kualiti Alam Sekeliling 1974.
Sehubungan itu, Pengarah Jabatan Alam Sekitar (JAS) Sabah, Abdul Razak Abdul Manap, berkata pihaknya sudah mengarahkan kilang terbabit menghentikan pembuangan habuk kayu dan minyak hitam terpakai ke kuala itu serta-merta.
Katanya, semua kilang terbabit sudah dikenakan tindakan penguatkuasaan iaitu kompaun dan notis arahan supaya menghentikan kegiatan pembuangan bahan berkenaan bagi mengatasi pencemaran Kuala Merotai.
Sekiranya pengurusan kilang terbabit melanggar arahan itu, katanya, tindakan tegas akan dikuatkuasakan dengan memfailkan kes berkenaan di mahkamah.
"Siasatan JAS Tawau mendapati semua kilang terbabit melanggar Akta Kualiti Alam Sekitar 1974 dan peraturan mengikut akta berkenaan," katanya kepada Berita Harian di sini, semalam.
Siasatan terhadap kilang terbabit adalah susulan laporan akhbar ini pada 20 Julai lalu yang mendedahkan nelayan kecil Bumiputera di Kuala Merotai kehilangan sumber pendapatan tetap, angkara kerakusan kilang papan yang membuang sisa industri di tebing sungai yang kemudian dihanyutkan ke laut.
Pembuangan sisa industri membabitkan serpihan kayu balak dan papan dikesan mengandungi bahan kimia menyebabkan Kuala Merotai kehilangan sumber perikanan yang selama ini menjadi sumber rezeki penduduk setempat.
Justeru, lebih 2,000 nelayan yang mencari rezeki di situ mahukan pembelaan supaya pihak berkuasa mengarahkan kilang terbabit menghentikan operasi.
Mengenai kematian ikan yang diusahakan Keluarga Isi Rumah Termiskin (KIRT), Abdul Razak berkata, pihaknya menyerahkan kes itu kepada pihak berkuasa lain termasuk Jabatan Perikanan negeri.
"Mengikut Akta Alam Sekeliling 1974, sesiapa yang didapati membuang bahan pencemar seperti efluen kilang sawit atau getah melebihi had boleh didenda kurang RM100,000 atau penjara lima tahun atau kedua-duanya sekali.
"Sekiranya pihak terbabit melakukan kesalahan melupuskan bahan buangan terjadual seperti minyak pelincir terpakai atau bahan klinikal, mereka boleh didenda maksimum RM500,000 atau penjara tidak lebih lima tahun atau kedua-duanya sekali," katanya.
Premis langgar akta diarah henti salur habuk kayu, minyak hitam terpakai hingga cemar Kuala Merotai, jejas nelayan
KOTA KINABALU: Empat kilang papan yang dikesan mencemar Kuala Merotai di Tawau sehingga menyebabkan 2,000 nelayan kecil kehilangan sumber pendapatan, disahkan melanggar Akta Kualiti Alam Sekeliling 1974.
Sehubungan itu, Pengarah Jabatan Alam Sekitar (JAS) Sabah, Abdul Razak Abdul Manap, berkata pihaknya sudah mengarahkan kilang terbabit menghentikan pembuangan habuk kayu dan minyak hitam terpakai ke kuala itu serta-merta.
Katanya, semua kilang terbabit sudah dikenakan tindakan penguatkuasaan iaitu kompaun dan notis arahan supaya menghentikan kegiatan pembuangan bahan berkenaan bagi mengatasi pencemaran Kuala Merotai.
Sekiranya pengurusan kilang terbabit melanggar arahan itu, katanya, tindakan tegas akan dikuatkuasakan dengan memfailkan kes berkenaan di mahkamah.
"Siasatan JAS Tawau mendapati semua kilang terbabit melanggar Akta Kualiti Alam Sekitar 1974 dan peraturan mengikut akta berkenaan," katanya kepada Berita Harian di sini, semalam.
Siasatan terhadap kilang terbabit adalah susulan laporan akhbar ini pada 20 Julai lalu yang mendedahkan nelayan kecil Bumiputera di Kuala Merotai kehilangan sumber pendapatan tetap, angkara kerakusan kilang papan yang membuang sisa industri di tebing sungai yang kemudian dihanyutkan ke laut.
Pembuangan sisa industri membabitkan serpihan kayu balak dan papan dikesan mengandungi bahan kimia menyebabkan Kuala Merotai kehilangan sumber perikanan yang selama ini menjadi sumber rezeki penduduk setempat.
Justeru, lebih 2,000 nelayan yang mencari rezeki di situ mahukan pembelaan supaya pihak berkuasa mengarahkan kilang terbabit menghentikan operasi.
Mengenai kematian ikan yang diusahakan Keluarga Isi Rumah Termiskin (KIRT), Abdul Razak berkata, pihaknya menyerahkan kes itu kepada pihak berkuasa lain termasuk Jabatan Perikanan negeri.
"Mengikut Akta Alam Sekeliling 1974, sesiapa yang didapati membuang bahan pencemar seperti efluen kilang sawit atau getah melebihi had boleh didenda kurang RM100,000 atau penjara lima tahun atau kedua-duanya sekali.
"Sekiranya pihak terbabit melakukan kesalahan melupuskan bahan buangan terjadual seperti minyak pelincir terpakai atau bahan klinikal, mereka boleh didenda maksimum RM500,000 atau penjara tidak lebih lima tahun atau kedua-duanya sekali," katanya.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Minda Lestari: Alam sekitar, ekonomi diberi tumpuan seimbang
BAJET 2008 mempunyai tiga strategi teras iaitu mempertingkatkan daya saing negara, memperkasa pembangunan modal insan dan menjamin kesejahteraan rakyat.
Menerusi strategi mempertingkatkan daya saing negara, Bajet 2008 antara lain mencadangkan agar dipercepatkan tempoh kelulusan Laporan Penilaian Impak Alam Sekitar (EIA) dari tiga bulan ke lima minggu. Ini bagi menggalak dan meningkatkan daya saing iklim pelaburan. Inisiatif itu wajar dialu-alukan, biarpun ada kebimbangan di kalangan pencinta dan pakar alam sekitar kerana prosedur kajian EIA memakan masa untuk dilaksanakan sebaik-baiknya.
Hal ini lebih ketara bagi projek memerlukan penilaian EIA terperinci (DEIA) dengan masa sekurang-kurangnya enam bulan untuk menilai sejauh mana impak sesuatu projek terhadap alam sekitar. Masa lebih panjang diperlukan bagi kawasan yang komponen alam sekitarnya tidak dipantau secara terperinci dan berterusan oleh pihak berkuasa.
Menerusi strategi mempertingkatkan daya saing negara, Bajet 2008 antara lain mencadangkan agar dipercepatkan tempoh kelulusan Laporan Penilaian Impak Alam Sekitar (EIA) dari tiga bulan ke lima minggu. Ini bagi menggalak dan meningkatkan daya saing iklim pelaburan. Inisiatif itu wajar dialu-alukan, biarpun ada kebimbangan di kalangan pencinta dan pakar alam sekitar kerana prosedur kajian EIA memakan masa untuk dilaksanakan sebaik-baiknya.
Hal ini lebih ketara bagi projek memerlukan penilaian EIA terperinci (DEIA) dengan masa sekurang-kurangnya enam bulan untuk menilai sejauh mana impak sesuatu projek terhadap alam sekitar. Masa lebih panjang diperlukan bagi kawasan yang komponen alam sekitarnya tidak dipantau secara terperinci dan berterusan oleh pihak berkuasa.
Azmi: Government agencies not spending enough time, money on environs issues
KUALA LUMPUR: Government agencies are not spending enough time and money to raise awareness on environmental issues among their staff, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid said.
Expressing his disappointment, he said that as a result most of them lacked knowledge on environmental issues and ended up cutting corners when developing projects.
“There are government agencies, when they do things they don’t think about the environment because they are used to the old ways.
“And only when something happens, they come and investigate, find fault and start pointing fingers,” he told reporters yesterday when asked to comment on the problems faced by the Government in changing Malaysians’ attitude towards environmental issues.
Earlier, he opened a one-day conference on climate change themed “Preparedness Towards Policy Changes”.
On a related matter, Azmi said the Cabinet had decided that all development project proposals must be furnished with environmental input.
He said the decision would ensure government departments and agencies involved in planning projects would be provided with guidelines on environmental aspects before approving development projects.
“Every planning for development projects must have an environmental policy,” he said.
Asked whether the planning was to complement the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report, Azmi said the EIA was more on technical aspects while the new policy dealt directly with environmental aspects on the ground.
“The EIA designed in the 1970s purely looks into the technical aspects and compliance in certain issues. We are looking at the larger issues now,” he added. – Bernama
Expressing his disappointment, he said that as a result most of them lacked knowledge on environmental issues and ended up cutting corners when developing projects.
“There are government agencies, when they do things they don’t think about the environment because they are used to the old ways.
“And only when something happens, they come and investigate, find fault and start pointing fingers,” he told reporters yesterday when asked to comment on the problems faced by the Government in changing Malaysians’ attitude towards environmental issues.
Earlier, he opened a one-day conference on climate change themed “Preparedness Towards Policy Changes”.
On a related matter, Azmi said the Cabinet had decided that all development project proposals must be furnished with environmental input.
He said the decision would ensure government departments and agencies involved in planning projects would be provided with guidelines on environmental aspects before approving development projects.
“Every planning for development projects must have an environmental policy,” he said.
Asked whether the planning was to complement the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report, Azmi said the EIA was more on technical aspects while the new policy dealt directly with environmental aspects on the ground.
“The EIA designed in the 1970s purely looks into the technical aspects and compliance in certain issues. We are looking at the larger issues now,” he added. – Bernama
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Solid Waste Bill
Solid Waste Bill In Final Fine-tuning Stage, Says Ong
PETALING JAYA, Sept 16 (Bernama) -- The National Solid Waste Management Bill, expected to better protect the environment, is in the final fine-tuning stage before it is tabled in the next parliament sitting, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said Saturday.He said the bill, which takes into account landfills and recycling, would be implemented after it was gazetted."There are lots of legal matters that are being sought out as provisions in the Bill involves both federal and state governments," he said at the launch of the Plastics Coding System and the Malaysian Plastic Forum.Ong said this was part of the government's continuous measures to work out appropriate incentives besides instituting new regulations to promote recycling in the country.He said findings of a recent study by the ministry on current recycling practices showed plastics accounted for about 9.7 per cent of household waste.However, the rate of plastic recycling was comparatively low, only about five per cent. Plastics are mostly collected by waste pickers and scavengers.Ong said his ministry was also in the final stages of compiling a directory of recyclers, including those from the plastics industry.He said the directory can lead to the creation of a viable recycling industry through the formation of close networking among the various parties involved in recycling.He also said the National Technical Committee on Management of Solid Waste was still studying various proposals on the use of modern technology for solid waste disposal to replace existing techniques.The proposals include the use of incinerators, a method used in developed countries, he added.Meanwhile, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid said the new legislation would empower the Federal Government to take action against solid waste handlers for flouting the solid waste management law.He said Alam Flora Sdn Bhd, which manages solid waste in several states, would be vested with more powers to collect garbage in a more systematic manner to be recycled."When the law comes into force, Alam Flora will be given responsibilities legally," he told reporters after launching Buharry Green Zone 2006 at Buharry Bistro.Azmi said Alam Flora was currently implementing a pilot project around Petaling Jaya to collect garbage systematically by segregating waste which could be recycled.He urged Alam Flora to provide user-friendly recycling bins to encourage the public, particularly children, to separate the garbage for recycling."Since the bins being used now are high and are unsuitable for children, I'd like to suggest to Alam Flora to come up with more attractive bins with catchy slogans apart from the confusing symbols of glass and newsprint," he said.Azmi said his ministry would discuss with the parties engaged in the recycling industry to find out their problems and the assistance needed."We will ask them the problems they faced, incentives to be given and the form of assistance needed to expand their business and to operate efficiently," he added.-- BERNAMA
PETALING JAYA, Sept 16 (Bernama) -- The National Solid Waste Management Bill, expected to better protect the environment, is in the final fine-tuning stage before it is tabled in the next parliament sitting, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said Saturday.He said the bill, which takes into account landfills and recycling, would be implemented after it was gazetted."There are lots of legal matters that are being sought out as provisions in the Bill involves both federal and state governments," he said at the launch of the Plastics Coding System and the Malaysian Plastic Forum.Ong said this was part of the government's continuous measures to work out appropriate incentives besides instituting new regulations to promote recycling in the country.He said findings of a recent study by the ministry on current recycling practices showed plastics accounted for about 9.7 per cent of household waste.However, the rate of plastic recycling was comparatively low, only about five per cent. Plastics are mostly collected by waste pickers and scavengers.Ong said his ministry was also in the final stages of compiling a directory of recyclers, including those from the plastics industry.He said the directory can lead to the creation of a viable recycling industry through the formation of close networking among the various parties involved in recycling.He also said the National Technical Committee on Management of Solid Waste was still studying various proposals on the use of modern technology for solid waste disposal to replace existing techniques.The proposals include the use of incinerators, a method used in developed countries, he added.Meanwhile, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid said the new legislation would empower the Federal Government to take action against solid waste handlers for flouting the solid waste management law.He said Alam Flora Sdn Bhd, which manages solid waste in several states, would be vested with more powers to collect garbage in a more systematic manner to be recycled."When the law comes into force, Alam Flora will be given responsibilities legally," he told reporters after launching Buharry Green Zone 2006 at Buharry Bistro.Azmi said Alam Flora was currently implementing a pilot project around Petaling Jaya to collect garbage systematically by segregating waste which could be recycled.He urged Alam Flora to provide user-friendly recycling bins to encourage the public, particularly children, to separate the garbage for recycling."Since the bins being used now are high and are unsuitable for children, I'd like to suggest to Alam Flora to come up with more attractive bins with catchy slogans apart from the confusing symbols of glass and newsprint," he said.Azmi said his ministry would discuss with the parties engaged in the recycling industry to find out their problems and the assistance needed."We will ask them the problems they faced, incentives to be given and the form of assistance needed to expand their business and to operate efficiently," he added.-- BERNAMA
RM9.09 juta indahkan sungai
KUALA LUMPUR 11 Sept. – Kementerian Sumber Asli dan Alam Sekitar memperuntukkan RM9.09 juta untuk mengindahkan sungai dan kawasan sekitar dalam Kempen Kesedaran Alam Sekitar dan Pemulihan Sungai.
Setiausaha Parlimennya, Datuk Sazmi Miah berkata, kementeriannya juga mengadakan kerjasama dengan Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran (JPS) dan Jabatan Alam Sekitar (JAS) dalam memperkasakan setiap kempen pencemaran terutamanya pencegahan dan pemulihan.
“Penguatkuasaan ditekankan terutama dalam memantau pencemaran lembangan sungai untuk memastikan tiada sumber air utama yang tercemar.
“Kementerian juga mengambil pendekatan bersepadu melalui pelbagai agensi dengan menetapkan garis panduan, rujukan dan undang-undang supaya kawasan tadahan ini dapat diurus dengan baik,” katanya.
Beliau berkata demikian semasa menjawab soalan asal Datuk Hasan Malek (BN-Kuala Pilah) yang meminta kementerian mengemukakan langkah dan cadangan masa depan untuk memastikan sumber air tidak tercemar pada persidangan Dewan Rakyat hari ini.
Menurutnya, dalam aspek pemulihan sungai, pihak kementerian juga menjalankan pelbagai aktiviti dan projek pemulihan sungai-sungai yang telah dicemari.
“Program-program yang telah dijalankan oleh kementerian ialah pembinaan perangkap sampah dan perangkap keladak.
“Kawalan kumbahan dan sisa pepejal dilakukan dengan pemasangan Sistem Penapis Sisa Makanan (FOG) untuk semua premis makanan dalam kawasan Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan (PBT),” katanya.
Sazmi memberitahu, kementerian juga menjalankan kerja-kerja pemuliharaan sungai untuk mengembalikan ekosistem sungai.
Menjawab soalan tambahan Datuk Markiman Kobiran (BN-Hulu Langat) tentang kedudukan kilang haram dan rumah setinggan yang terletak di tebing sungai sekali gus menyumbang kepada pencemarannya, Sazmi mengakui hubungan kementeriannya masih longgar dengan majlis perbandaran negeri.
“Satu koordinasi akan dibuat untuk memastikan kerjasama dapat dibentuk daripada semua pihak dan masalah ini dapat diselesaikan dengan segera,” ujarnya
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Sawmills in Tawau found discharging waste in river
The Star, Tuesday September 11, 2007
KOTA KINABALU: Four sawmills in the east coast district of Tawau have run afoul of the law after they were found to have been discharging oil waste and saw dust in the Merotai River where thousands of farmed fish have died.
The sawmill owners were fined RM2,000 last month and ordered to ensure their plant wastes were no longer dumped into the waterway.
"We are watching them and if they fail to abide by the directive we will take harsher measures including court action," Sabah Department of Environment (DOE) director Razak Abdul Manaf said Tuesday.
He said under Section 25(3) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974, offenders could face a fine of up to RM100,000 or a jail term of up to five years.
Razak said those convicted for dumping oil waste in the rivers could face a further fine of up to RM500,000 and five years' jail term under Section 34B(4) of the same Act.
He said the department's enforcement personnel went into action after receiving word hundreds of fish farmed by fishermen along the Merotai River had died due to pollution in the waterway.
"Further checks revealed that the four sawmills were discharging their oil waste and saw dust into the river.
"However further investigations must be carried out to determine what caused the deaths of the fish," Razak added.
DOE gets strict over EIA
The Star, Monday September 10, 2007
LUMUT: From Oct 1, only consultants registered with the Department of Environment (DOE) will be allowed to prepare Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports.
Perak DOE director Abu Hasan Mohd Isa said this was because many of the previous reports were not up to mark.
“Before this, any Tom, Dick and Harry was allowed to prepare the EIAs,” he said after the launch of a two-day seminar on the improvement of EIAs here.
Abu Hasan said the department would blacklist consultants if unethical methods had been used to file the reports or certain information had been omitted to expedite the approval of projects.
“Once the consultant is blacklisted, he or she will be barred from preparing other reports.”
Abu Hasan said the EIA should not be used as a licence to approve a project but to help the authorities make sound decisions.
On the DOE’s recent challenge to cut the time taken for an EIA approval from 10 weeks to five, Abu Hasan said:
“It is not a problem. As long as the reports are properly prepared, approval can be given even within two weeks or less.”
Later, department deputy director Norazizi Adinan said that shoddy EIAs put the department under tremendous pressure as it had to assess and approve them quickly in order for projects to move on.
Only DOE-registered consultants allowed to prepare EIA reports
Saturday September 8, 2007
LUMUT: Come Oct 1, only consultants registered with the Department of Environment (DOE) will be allowed to prepare Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports.
Perak DOE director Abu Hasan Mohd Isa said this was because many of the previous reports were shoddy and not up to mark.
"Before this, any Tom, Dick and Harry were allowed to prepare the EIAs," he said after the launch of a two-day seminar on the improvement of EIAs here on Saturday.
"That is why the reports have not been up to standard. On a scale of one to five, I would rate the quality of previous EIAs at three," he added.
Abu Hasan said that on some occasions, the department would discover that consultants had merely "cut and pasted" old data from previous reports to prepare a new one.
"As such, we have to ask them to redo it or to get more information where it is lacking."
With the new ruling, only consultants with good experience, knowledge and expertise in the field were allowed to register, he said.
He added that the department would blacklist errant consultants if found that unethical methods had been used to file the reports or certain information had been omitted to expedite the approval of projects.
"We will not hesitate to do this. Once the consultant is blacklisted, he or she will be barred from preparing other reports," he said.
Abu Hasan said the EIA should not be used as a license to approve a project but instead used to help the authorities make sound decisions.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Be sensitive to the environment
The star
Friday September 7, 2007
PENANG: All government departments, MPs and assemblymen have to refer to the relevant departments managing environment-sensitive areas before commencing any construction in these places.
State Tourism and Environment committee chairman Teng Chang Yeow said inter-departmental communication was very important to avoid unnecessary speculation.
He said this when commenting on recent re-ports on complaints by environmentalists and Friends of Penang Hill about alleged illegal clearing on Penang Hill.
It was reported that Friends of Penang Hill spokesman Ahmad Chik had suspected a far-mer was clearing land and cutting trees to build a cement road in the government forest reserve.
Teng told a press conference yesterday that the claims were not true, adding that the work was done by George Town district Public Works Department (JKR) that was upgrading the 1.2km road stretch off Tunnel Road on Penang Hill.
“The state Forestry Department has done its investigations and there is no violation of the law in this case,” he said.
State Forestry Department deputy director Foong Lai Hoy said a check in the area showed that the road and drainage upgrading project was being done properly.
“The department was upgrading the existing road and only three trees, which were leaning and hazardous, were felled.
“Some clearing of shrubs and weeds were also done by the roadside,” he said.
He added that a proper drainage system was also built, adding that bamboo trees had been planted on the slopes to prevent soil erosion.
Serius bina lapangan terbang di Tioman
04/09/2007
Oleh ARSHAD KHAN (WARTAWAN UTUSAN)
PULAU Tioman boleh dianggap antara pulau peranginan yang paling berpotensi bukan sekadar di Pantai Timur tetapi juga untuk seluruh negara.
Kecantikan pantai, laut dan pulau menjadikan ia begitu digemari bukan sahaja pelancong tempatan tetapi juga pelancong luar negara.
Usaha pihak kerajaan dan beberapa agensi seperti Kastam Diraja Malaysia yang baru-baru ini membuka sebuah jeti baru bagi memudahkan pelancong untuk terus turun dan daftar masuk ke Berjaya Tioman Beach, Golf & Spa Resort mencerminkan kesungguhan semua pihak untuk memajukan pulau itu.
Seperti kata Pengurus Besar Berjaya Tioman Beach, Golf & Spa Resort, Gordon Koh, sistem pengangkutan yang lebih baik terutama di pintu masuk di tanah besar pasti akan membawa kemasukan pelancong dalam jumlah yang lebih ramai lagi.
Apabila Kerajaan Persekutuan mencadangkan pembinaan sebuah lapangan terbang baru di pulau itu pada tahun 2003, ia disambut dalam nada berbeza, ada yang mengalukan, ada yang bimbang.
Tidak kisah apa pun reaksinya, namun kini, selepas empat tahun, masih belum ada sebarang tanda-tanda nyata lapangan terbang itu akan dibina.
Persoalan penting, apa sudah jadi dengan lapangan terbang baru bernilai RM150 juta di Pulau Tioman seperti yang diuar-uarkan empat tahun lepas?
Mengikut perancangan, lapangan terbang baru itu bakal dibina di Kampung Paya pada 2003 sebaik sahaja kajian terhadap penilaian kesan alam sekitar (EIA) selesai dijalankan.
Projek itu juga dilihat bakal merancakkan lagi industri pelancongan di pulau bebas cukai itu.
Namun selepas empat tahun berlalu, tidak terdapat sebarang tanda yang menunjukkan projek berkenaan akan dilaksanakan.
Status lapangan terbang baru itu kini bukan sahaja menjadi persoalan kepada para penduduk Pulau Tioman, malah kepada pihak kerajaan negeri, yang sebelum ini telah pun bersetuju dengan projek Kerajaan Persekutuan itu.
“Projek itu merupakan projek Kerajaan Persekutuan, sehingga kini kita tidak dimaklumkan sama ada projek itu akan diteruskan atau tidak, kita (kerajaan negeri) telah pun bersetuju pada peringkat awal,” kata Timbalan Menteri Besar, Datuk Tan Mohd. Aminuddin Ishak kepada Utusan Malaysia.
“Sehingga kini kami tidak dimaklumkan secara rasmi berhubung status pembinaan itu,” katanya.
Pada 27 April 2003, Menteri Kewangan Kedua ketika itu, Datuk Seri Dr. Jamaludin Jarjis berkata projek pembinaan lapangan terbang baru itu akan dimulakan pada tahun itu juga, sebaik sahaja kajian terhadap penilaian kesan alam sekitar (EIA) selesai dijalankan.
Jamaludin berkata ia akan dibina di atas laut dan selari dengan kawasan pantai dan kawasan landasan lapangan terbang itu boleh mendaratkan beberapa pesawat Boeing 737.
Malah, kerajaan juga akan menjadikan Lapangan Terbang Tioman yang sedia ada di Kampung Tekek sebagai kawasan pusat membeli-belah.
Jamaludin dipetik berkata keputusan membina lapangan terbang baru dibuat kerana lapangan terbang yang sedia ada di Kampung Tekek dilihat sebagai tidak lagi sesuai.
Perhubungan
“Kerajaan telah bersetuju mengganti (lapangan terbang) yang dah ada, yang berbahaya kerana ia (pesawat akan) turun di kaki bukit.
“Jadi untuk memajukan (pulau itu) mesti ada perhubungan udara, darat dan laut yang baik. Jika tidak, ia tidak ada nilai tambah, kita mesti pasarkan pulau itu, orang akan tanya apakah perhubungan untuk ke pulau itu,” kata Jamaludin.
Sementara itu, Pengurus Besar Lembaga Pembangunan Tioman, Datuk Hashim Mat Tahir turut bersetuju bahawa pembinaan lapangan terbang baru itu akan menjadi pemangkin bagi menarik lebih ramai lagi pelancong ke pulau bebas cukai itu.
Mengikut statistik terkini, hampir 300,000 pelancong berkunjung ke pulau yang disenaraikan 10 tercantik di dunia itu, dan 80 peratus daripada jumlah itu menggunakan pengangkutan laut.
Ketika ditanya sama ada penduduk Pulau Tioman mengharapkan projek itu menjadi kenyataan, Hashim berkata majoritinya menyokong: “Ada juga yang menentang, tapi seperti juga projek pembinaan marina di kampung Tekek, apabila sudah siap, mereka tahu, projek itu menguntungkan industri pelancong di sini.”
Sebelum ini (pada tahun 2004), projek pembinaan marina bernilai RM40 juta turut mendapat bantahan pelbagai pihak yang khuatir projek itu akan menjejas batu karang di taman laut di situ.
Sementara itu pelbagai pihak termasuk penduduk pulau berkenaan berharap projek itu dapat dilaksanakan seperti yang dirancang bagi merancakkan lagi industri pelancongan di pulau itu.
Seorang penduduk, Abdul Latif Salam, 45, dari Kampung Mukut di sini berkata, beliauyakin lebih ramai lagi pelancong luar akan mengunjungi pulau itu sekiranya kemudahan lapangan terbang yang baru dibina.
Pulau Tioman diisytiharkan sebagai pulau bebas cukai pada 1 September 2002.
Ia menjadikan pulau itu setanding dengan Pulau Batam dan Bintan di Indonesia yang berjaya menarik ramai pelancong luar terutamanya Singapura.
Namun hakikatnya kini, hasrat penduduk Pulau Tioman untuk melihat pesawat-pesawat Boeing 737 yang membawa lebih ramai pelancong luar mendarat di lapangan terbang baru pulau itu masih jauh.
Saturday, September 1, 2007
environmental law
For economic growth, tougher environmental laws?
When tiny Clipper Windpower builds its first factory, perhaps this year, it will automatically become America's second-largest manufacturer of wind turbines. The Carpinteria, Calif., company even has a hot new technology that should be a sure thing.
But it's still hunting for financing because being a wind-turbine builder in the United States is tough, so tough that only one other US manufacturer exists.
In 20 years, the US has gone from leading the world in wind-energy manufacturing - with at least a dozen enterprising firms - to lagging badly. Companies in Germany, Denmark, Spain, and elsewhere have grabbed the technological lead and now hold roughly 80 percent of a $8 billion market that's growing 25 to 35 percent a year.
The reason? Some experts point to lax clean-air laws in the US. That's right. Weak environmental regulations may hurt, not help, industries by blunting their technological edge. Such contrarian logic, controversial among economists, is about to be put to the test.
By not signing the Kyoto Protocol, the US has set itself apart from most of the industrialized world. So will its companies flourish, thanks to lower environmental costs - or lose out to foreign firms that cut greenhouse gases?
When it comes to green technologies, some contend the record is pretty clear.
"There are major technological and competitive benefits in getting to clean up your act," says Amory Lovins, who heads the Rocky Mountain Institute, an energy and environment think tank in Snowmass, Colo. "By passing on Kyoto, the US will reduce its competitive advantage compared to overseas firms paying attention to carbon reduction."
Consider air-pollution controls, known as scrubbers. After the 1970 Clean Air Act mandated that about a third of power plants clean up their emissions, the US scrubber industry became a world leader. American companies became the first large exporters of scrubber technology to other nations, industry experts say. But after a fast start, the industry stagnated during the 1980s as many power plants were able to avoid scrubbers. When tougher laws went into effect in the '90s, the industry perked up.
Meanwhile, Germany and Japan implemented strict air-pollution laws that kept getting stricter. Today, Japanese, German, and Danish companies have pioneered technologies while some experts say the US lags in key areas.
"The country that's first with the toughest regulations becomes the biggest net exporter of pollution-control equipment," says Robert McIlvaine, an industry analyst. For example: Germany and Japan have been requiring power plants to reduce nitrogen oxides (NOX) for at least 20 years. Result: German and Japanese firms have a big edge today in the lucrative market for selective catalytic reduction technology. Now that NOX regulation has come to the US, American pollution-control companies are sometimes forced to license or purchase crucial anti-NOX technology from Japanese, German, or other foreign firms, Mr. McIlvaine says.
Sometimes even more dramatic has happened in solar photovoltaics. Solar cells, which convert sunlight into electricity, were invented and pioneered in the US. A domestic industry began growing rapidly. As recently as 1997, the US still led the world in solar panel production.
Today, though, the US makes only about 10 percent of global solar panel output, says the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), a trade group. Major subsidies and other government incentives in Japan and Germany created the markets and the technological, manufacturing, and cost advantages to those countries. Many US solar panel installers now buy Japanese modules.
"It's not that our technologies were inferior, but we didn't have the public policy or patience to build the industry," says the SEIA's Colin Murchie. While Europeans subsidized solar and wind production, the US offered tax breaks for fossil fuels and has allowed its wind-production tax credit to lapse repeatedly.
When the US did lead on a global environmental issue, however, it translated into a substantial competitive advantage for a number of American manufacturers.
Road to success: not always paved with green technologies
Many countries have tried to boost their competitiveness by supporting research in green technologies. But the results are mixed. For example:
• The United States in the '70s and the '90s increased research funds, but with few long-lasting effects.
• Japan launched its Research Institute of Innovative Technology in 1990 as a research hub. It regularly announces new initiatives, such as biodegradable plastics, that some Japanese corporations have picked up. Critics remain skeptical.
• The European Commission last year launched a plan to boost funding in research in fuel-saving engines, soil-cleaning techniques, and other Earth-friendly technologies. It's too soon to judge its lasting impact.
In the mid-1980s, when British scientists documented a huge hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica, Dupont was a leading maker of chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, a refrigerant and one of the chief causes of ozone depletion. But instead of fighting to block CFC regulation, the company joined the Reagan administration in leading the global community in a phaseout of CFCs. Dupont soon developed an alternative to CFCs it deployed ahead of competing products, developing a lucrative global market.
The development of new technology that could use one of Dupont's alternative cooling substances, dubbed HFC, helped spawn a new generation of more efficient compressors that have led to refrigerators that use only about a third of the energy they did in the 1970s. The result has been a huge energy savings worldwide.
Of course, green technology represents only a small part of the nation's economy. Gauging whether stricter environmental regulation helps - or hurts - the overall economy is tougher and more controversial.
"We find no evidence that improving environmental quality compromises economic progress," wrote Michael Porter of Harvard Business School and Daniel Esty of Yale University in a 2002 study of leading industrialized nations. That doesn't prove that one causes the other, Dr. Esty is quick to point out in a phone interview. But "there's good reason to believe that there's a connection."
Many economists disagree. "To suggest that there will be all of these savings as [businesses] comply with regulations is just silly," says Paul Portney, president of Resources for the Future, a nonpartisan economic think tank. "It's wishful thinking. I would love it if, when regulating firms, we helped them see all these other opportunities, but it's a hopelessly naive view."
In any case, all of America's green technology isn't lost. For example: US firms, pioneering a nanotechnology that can print solar cells on fabric or plastic to make flexible solar power, could become world-beaters, Mr. Murchie says. But they may only have a few years to do it.
U.S environmental laws
U.S ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS
A list of major U.S. federal laws (unless otherwise indicated) pertaining to the environment.
Atomic Energy Act (1954): Was passed because of the government's keen interest in monitoring the commercial and national defense uses of atomic energy. Government concerns included radiation hazards and the disposal of radioactive waste. The act establishes a general regulatory structure for construction and use of nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons facilities. Unlike most environmental statutes, it does not permit citizen suits and affords only limited opportunities for suits by public interest groups.
Clean Air Act (1970): Sets goals and standards for the quality and purity of air in the United States. By law, it is periodically reviewed. A significant set of amendments in 1990 toughened air quality standards and placed new emphasis on market forces to control air pollution.
Clean Water Act (1972): Establishes and maintains goals and standards for U.S. water quality and purity. It has been amended several times, most prominently in 1987 to increase controls on toxic pollutants, and in 1990, to more effectively address the hazard of oil spills.
Coastal Zone Management Act (1972): Provides a partnership structure allowing states and the federal government to work together for the protection of U.S. coastal zones from environmentally harmful overdevelopment. The program provides federal funding to participating coastal states and territories for the implementation of measures that conserve coastal areas.
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (1980): Requires the cleanup of sites contaminated with toxic waste. This law is commonly refered to as "Superfund." In 1986 major amendments were made in order to clarify the level of cleanup required and degrees of liability. CERCLA is retroactive, which means it can be used to hold liable those responsible for disposal of hazardous wastes before the law was enacted in 1980.
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (1986): Requires companies to disclose information about toxic chemicals they release into the air and water and dispose of on land.
Endangered Species Act (1973): Is designed to protect and recover endangered and threatened species of fish, wildlife and plants in the United States and beyond. The law works in part by protecting species habitats.
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (1938): Is the nation's major law regulating contaminants in food, including pesticides. The Food and Drug Administration implements most of this law; the Environmental Protection Agency carries out its pesticide standard setting provisions (with FDA enforcement). See also Food Quality Protection Act.
Federal Land Policy and Management Act (1976): Provides for protection of the scenic, scientific, historic and ecologic values of federal lands and for public involvement in their management.
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (1947): Controls the sale, distribution and application of pesticides; amended in 1972, 1988, and 1996. See also Food Quality Protection Act.
Food Quality Protection Act (1996): Is designed to ensure that levels of pesticide residues in food meet strict standards for public health protection. Under this law, which overhauled the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, the Environmental Protection Agency is required to better protect infants and children from pesticides in food and water and from indoor exposure to pesticides.
Fisheries Conservation and Management Act (1976): Governs the management and control of U.S. marine fish populations, and is intended to maintain and restore healthy levels of fish stocks and prevent overharvesting. Better known as the Magnuson Stevens Act.
Marine Mammal Protection Act (1972): Seeks to protect whales, dolphins, sea lions, seals, manatees and other species of marine mammals, many of which remain threatened or endangered. The law requires wildlife agencies to review any activity -- for example, the use of underwater explosives or high-intensity active sonar -- that has the potential to "harass" or kill these animals in the wild. The law is our nation's leading instrument for the conservation of these species, and is an international model for such laws.
National Environmental Policy Act (1970): Was the first of the modern environmental statutes. NEPA created environmental policies and goals for the country, and established the President's Council on Environmental Quality. Its most important feature is its requirement that federal agencies conduct thorough assessments of the environmental impacts of all major activities undertaken or funded by the federal government. Many states have enacted similar laws governing state activities.
Oil Pollution Act (1990): Enacted a year after the disastrous Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska's Prince William Sound, this law streamlines federal response to oil spills by requiring oil storage facilities and vessels to prepare spill-response plans and provide for their rapid implementation. The law also increases polluters' liability for cleanup costs and damage to natural resources and imposes measures -- including a phaseout of single-hulled tankers -- designed to improve tanker safety and prevent spills.
Proposition 65 (1986): Is a California law passed by voter initiative. Known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, Prop. 65 is designed to provide public warnings about the risk of exposure to toxic chemicals and to eliminate toxins from drinking water supplies. It is responsible for California having some of the strongest environmental protections in the nation, and thus has helped make the state a model for other regions seeking to address environmental hazards.
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (1976): Seeks to prevent the creation of toxic waste dumps by setting standards for the management of hazardous waste. Like CERCLA, this law also includes some provisions for cleanup of existing contaminated sites.
Safe Drinking Water Act (1974): Establishes drinking water standards for tap water safety, and requires rules for groundwater protection from underground injection; amended in 1986 and 1996. The 1996 amendments added a fund to pay for water system upgrades, revised standard: setting requirements, required new standards for common contaminants, and included public "right to know" requirements to inform consumers about their tap water.
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (1977): Is intended to ensure that coal mining activity is conducted with sufficient protections of the public and the environment, and provides for the restoration of abandoned mining areas to beneficial use.
Toxic Substances Control Act (1976): Authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate the manufacture, distribution, import and processing of certain toxic chemicals
A list of major U.S. federal laws (unless otherwise indicated) pertaining to the environment.
Atomic Energy Act (1954): Was passed because of the government's keen interest in monitoring the commercial and national defense uses of atomic energy. Government concerns included radiation hazards and the disposal of radioactive waste. The act establishes a general regulatory structure for construction and use of nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons facilities. Unlike most environmental statutes, it does not permit citizen suits and affords only limited opportunities for suits by public interest groups.
Clean Air Act (1970): Sets goals and standards for the quality and purity of air in the United States. By law, it is periodically reviewed. A significant set of amendments in 1990 toughened air quality standards and placed new emphasis on market forces to control air pollution.
Clean Water Act (1972): Establishes and maintains goals and standards for U.S. water quality and purity. It has been amended several times, most prominently in 1987 to increase controls on toxic pollutants, and in 1990, to more effectively address the hazard of oil spills.
Coastal Zone Management Act (1972): Provides a partnership structure allowing states and the federal government to work together for the protection of U.S. coastal zones from environmentally harmful overdevelopment. The program provides federal funding to participating coastal states and territories for the implementation of measures that conserve coastal areas.
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (1980): Requires the cleanup of sites contaminated with toxic waste. This law is commonly refered to as "Superfund." In 1986 major amendments were made in order to clarify the level of cleanup required and degrees of liability. CERCLA is retroactive, which means it can be used to hold liable those responsible for disposal of hazardous wastes before the law was enacted in 1980.
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (1986): Requires companies to disclose information about toxic chemicals they release into the air and water and dispose of on land.
Endangered Species Act (1973): Is designed to protect and recover endangered and threatened species of fish, wildlife and plants in the United States and beyond. The law works in part by protecting species habitats.
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (1938): Is the nation's major law regulating contaminants in food, including pesticides. The Food and Drug Administration implements most of this law; the Environmental Protection Agency carries out its pesticide standard setting provisions (with FDA enforcement). See also Food Quality Protection Act.
Federal Land Policy and Management Act (1976): Provides for protection of the scenic, scientific, historic and ecologic values of federal lands and for public involvement in their management.
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (1947): Controls the sale, distribution and application of pesticides; amended in 1972, 1988, and 1996. See also Food Quality Protection Act.
Food Quality Protection Act (1996): Is designed to ensure that levels of pesticide residues in food meet strict standards for public health protection. Under this law, which overhauled the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, the Environmental Protection Agency is required to better protect infants and children from pesticides in food and water and from indoor exposure to pesticides.
Fisheries Conservation and Management Act (1976): Governs the management and control of U.S. marine fish populations, and is intended to maintain and restore healthy levels of fish stocks and prevent overharvesting. Better known as the Magnuson Stevens Act.
Marine Mammal Protection Act (1972): Seeks to protect whales, dolphins, sea lions, seals, manatees and other species of marine mammals, many of which remain threatened or endangered. The law requires wildlife agencies to review any activity -- for example, the use of underwater explosives or high-intensity active sonar -- that has the potential to "harass" or kill these animals in the wild. The law is our nation's leading instrument for the conservation of these species, and is an international model for such laws.
National Environmental Policy Act (1970): Was the first of the modern environmental statutes. NEPA created environmental policies and goals for the country, and established the President's Council on Environmental Quality. Its most important feature is its requirement that federal agencies conduct thorough assessments of the environmental impacts of all major activities undertaken or funded by the federal government. Many states have enacted similar laws governing state activities.
Oil Pollution Act (1990): Enacted a year after the disastrous Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska's Prince William Sound, this law streamlines federal response to oil spills by requiring oil storage facilities and vessels to prepare spill-response plans and provide for their rapid implementation. The law also increases polluters' liability for cleanup costs and damage to natural resources and imposes measures -- including a phaseout of single-hulled tankers -- designed to improve tanker safety and prevent spills.
Proposition 65 (1986): Is a California law passed by voter initiative. Known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, Prop. 65 is designed to provide public warnings about the risk of exposure to toxic chemicals and to eliminate toxins from drinking water supplies. It is responsible for California having some of the strongest environmental protections in the nation, and thus has helped make the state a model for other regions seeking to address environmental hazards.
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (1976): Seeks to prevent the creation of toxic waste dumps by setting standards for the management of hazardous waste. Like CERCLA, this law also includes some provisions for cleanup of existing contaminated sites.
Safe Drinking Water Act (1974): Establishes drinking water standards for tap water safety, and requires rules for groundwater protection from underground injection; amended in 1986 and 1996. The 1996 amendments added a fund to pay for water system upgrades, revised standard: setting requirements, required new standards for common contaminants, and included public "right to know" requirements to inform consumers about their tap water.
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (1977): Is intended to ensure that coal mining activity is conducted with sufficient protections of the public and the environment, and provides for the restoration of abandoned mining areas to beneficial use.
Toxic Substances Control Act (1976): Authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate the manufacture, distribution, import and processing of certain toxic chemicals
EIA (Enviromental Impact Assessment) Report:
Including
- Provides Baseline or Background data on the proposed project area - All data including physical, cultural,social ,etc
- Impact of proposed project - both positive and negative impacts on all aspects including physical, cultural, social ,etc
- Mitigating or remedial measures - how to minimize impacts, especially negatives one
*Malaysia : 1980's - EIA Reports required for projects > 100 acres in area
EIA not needed for cable car projec
Friday August 31, 2007
TAIPING: The company undertaking the proposed RM60mil cable car system to Bukit Larut does not have to submit an Environmental Impact Assessment report.
Department of Environment Taiping branch chief Nasir Abdul Rahman said the report was only required if the project involved massive construction activities.
“Since the project in Bukit Larut only involved the construction of towers which utilises small plots of land, the project is not subjected to an EIA requirement,” he said.
Nasir said the company had de- liberated on the cable car pro- ject with the Bukit Larut development committee recently and it was agreed that no EIA report was needed as it was only a recreation project.
He said an EIA report was a must for projects like housing involving more than 50ha.
However in Perak, he added, the requirement had been tightened to over 20ha.
Although the project has not been approved by the state exco, the company and its representatives briefed Pokok Assam state assemblyman Datuk Ho Cheng Wang and the lo- cal media yesterday on the system which had been successfully implemented in Langkawi.
“Original vegetation on the hill will be left untouched and the construction of each tower will only utilise a small plot of about 10m by 10m,” Alan Tan, the consultant of the project said.
Tan said he was aware that the foothill of Bukit Larut had been gazetted as a water catchment area.
“Our cable car project in Langkawi was also built in a water catchment area and the environment there is not polluted,” he said.
Tan said more than a dozen towers would be built to support the 4.9km-long cables to bring gondolas carrying passengers up and down the Bukit Larut.
The base station would be built at a vacant plot near the Casuarina Inn and the Taiping New Club at the Lake Garden here. The tower station would be built about 1,009m up on the hill.
However, Ho cautioned the company to make the necessary adjustments for the base station as the proposed site would often be flooded during the rainy season.
“We don’t want the town to be flooded once the base station is completed,” he said.
Earlier Tan told the briefing that the existing jeep service which visitors depended on to go up the hill could only accommodate about 200 visitors daily whereas the cable car system would be able to bring about 1,000 visitors per day.
“Construction materials will be transported to the tower sites using helicopters so as to protect the hill’s natural vegetation,” he said.
Ho, who is also state Infrastructure and Public Utility Committee chairman, asked for public feedback before the company kicked off the project.
posted by Nor hidayah Mohd(sep060075)
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