New EIA, DEIA being considered
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS: New systems to cover wider range of elements
THE government is mulling a new dual-assessment system that will include a wider range of elements to be considered before development projects are approved.
Environment and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar yesterday said new Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Detailed Environmental Impact Assesment (DEIA) systems would be proposed to the cabinet for approval soon.
The proposal would be submitted to the National Land Council and National Physical Planning Council before it was implemented.
“If the proposal is approved, then the new EIA and DEIA systems will be implemented nationwide, and not only in Penang,” he said in a statement yesterday.
The DAP-led state government had proposed some 1,500ha of land reclamation off the southwestern coast of the island to fund its ambitious mega-transportation project.
The Penang Transport Masterplan project will include Light Rail Transit, Monorail and expressway.
He said there had been many reports on land reclamation of late. As such, he had ordered a detailed EIA and DEIA for land reclamation in Penang.
“The current EIA and DEIA focuses only on the projects approved by the state government or the Federal Government in protecting the environment.
“It is not inclusive, as many elements are sidelined and would eventually affect the environment,” he said.
He said he had appointed the ministry’s deputy secretary-general, Datuk Seri Dr Azimuddin Bahari, to supervise a task force set up to study the Penang land reclamation project.
“The task force will comprise directors-general from the Department of Environment, Malaysia National Hydraulic Research Institute, Forestry Department, Marine Parks Department and the ministry’s legal advisers.
“It will study and research all aspects and angles, be it legal or constitutional, that relate to development,” he said, urging the Penang government to stop work on the project until the new EIA and DEIA systems could be introduced.