Electronic scrap recycling plant: State Department of Environment (DOE)
Director should clarify three questions
Media Statement
by Kerk Kim Hock
(Melaka, Saturday):
Two days ago, former DAP MP
for Kota Melaka, Lim Guan Eng and I held a press conference outside the site
for the proposed electronic scrap recycling and recovering of precious
metals facility at Taman Teknologi Cheng, Melaka.
We have called on the Melaka state government not to approve the application
to build the proposed plant at the existing site but to relocate it to a
suitable site so that public health cannot be threatened, failing which the
DAP will launch a mass signature campaign to call for its relocation.
Some residents who were present also expressed their concerns about the
health risks that they have to face if the state government approves the
project.
I have said that even the Russia nuclear plants, which have been approved by
world experts, have leaked before and this has confirmed the saying that no
structure can be said to be absolutely safe. As such, it is always important
to increase the safety factor.
Hence, the residents who live in the affected zone have asked that the plant
be relocated to a site where it must meet all international standards and
requirements.
In today's New Straits Times, the plant director Ung Yoke Hooi has clarified
that the company will only use an oven to carry out its operations. He said
that the consultant has made an error in stating that an incinerator will be
built.
He said he has asked the consultant to rectify the error and the DOE has
been informed about it.
This morning, together with Guan Eng, I have gone to the State Department of
Environment in Graha Maju Building to look at the Terms of Reference being
displayed.
In view of the clarifications made by Ung, I call on the State DOE Director
to provide clear answers to the following three questions which have arisen
:
1.. With the clarifications made by the company, are the Terms of Reference
being displayed still valid?
2.. In the Terms of Reference displayed, it has been clearly stated that "
as the recycling facility will include an incinerator, a Detailed
Environment Impact Assessment (DEIA) is required for submission and
presentation to the Department of Environment for approval prior to project
implementation."
As such, if the plant is to use an oven, was there a need for a DEIA in the
first place?
3.. If an oven is used, will it be sufficient and effective in handling the
types of e wastes that the plant is supposed to handle?
(23/11/2002)
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Kerk Kim Hock, DAP Secretary General and MP for Kota Melaka
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