Dialogue conducted by the consultant of Kuokuang Petrochemical Technology Company is far from satisfying

I have attended the dialogue at Pengerang at 10am this morning and I must say the dialogue conducted by the consultant of Kuokuang Petrochemical Technology Company is far from satisfying for the following reasons: –

1. Even though the dialogue is called “Dialog bersama Penduduk: Kajian Penilaian Impak Alam Sekitar Terperinci (DEIA) bagi Cadangan Pembangunan Loji Penapisan Minyak dan Petrokimia di Pengerang, Johor”, the presentation of the consultants are all on the social economic survey and zero on the assessment of impact on environment.

2. There are at least 10,000 residents in the affected areas. The survey only involved 150 residents. Does the conclusion of the survey really reflect the views and thoughts of the residents of Pengerang?

3. The conclusion of the so-called social economic survey is 68% of the respondents support the project. However, the Environment Impact Assessment report is yet to be published. In other words, the residents, especially those participated in the survey, are not informed of the real impact of the project towards their hometown and life. We can’t rule out the possibility that they will change their answer after being informed of the outcome of EIA report. As such, it is too early and actually misleading to conclude that “68% of the respondents supports the project”.

4. The survey showed that: –

   a) more than 90% of the respondents are of the views that the basic infrastructure of their areas will be improved (pembaikan kemudahan asas)

   b) more than 90% of the respondents feel that there will be an increase of theiproperty value (peningkatan nilai hartanah)

   c) close to 80% of the respondents feel that there will be job opportunities to the local people (peluang pekerjaan kepada penduduk tempatan)

   d) 50% of the respondents feel that there will be increase of business chances (peningkatan peluang perniagaan)

   e) more than 45% of the respondents think that there will be job opportunities for their family members (peluang pekerjaan kepada ahli isirumah)

   f) about 35% of the respondents think that their living standard will be improved (peningkatan taraf hidup)

   G) 100% of the respondents are concerned about relocation (akan ditempat semula)

   H) 90% of the respondents worry about lose of their land (kehilangan hartanah)

   I) more than 90% of the respondents feel that they will be marginalized (penduduk terpinggir)

   J) more than 95% of the respondents worry about the possibility of being marginalized (kemungkinan penduduk dipinggirkan)

   K) more than 80% of the respondents concern about the increase of sound pollution (peningkatan pencemaran bunyi)

   L) Almost 100% of the respondents concerned about traffic congestion (kesesakan lalulintas)

   M) almost 90% of the respondents concerned about the increase of air pollution (peningkatan pencemaran udara)

   N) more than 90% of the respondents concerned about the increase of water pollution (peningkatan pencemaran air)

   O) 90% worry for the danger towards the residents (bahaya kepada penduduk)

   P) more than 90% worry about “ganggu ketenteraman”

   Q) almost 100% worry about the air quality (mengganggu kualiti air)

   R) more than 90% worry about the water quality (mengganggu kualiti air)

   S) close to 90% worry about “mengganggu ketenangan kawasan”

   And yet, the conclusion of the survey is 73% of the respondents having more positive views about the project (lebih banyak positif).

5. The attendees of the dialogue were not given sufficient time and opportunities to raise their concern. The organisers ended the dialogue at 12.15pm despite the fact that there were more than 10 attendees still lining up to raise their questions.

In view of the above, we hope the relevant parties can: –

1. Organize another dialogue once EIA report is done and ready

2. Organize more dialogues to address the concerns and doubts of the residents

3. Improve the approach and content of the current social economic survey.