Penang hopes new EIA requirements not retrospective

BUTTERWORTH: The state government says new guidelines for the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) and Detailed Environmental Assessment (DEIA) should not be made retrospective for EIA studies already underway in the state.

State Local Government, Traffic Management and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said it should not apply in cases where the Department of Environment (DoE) had already approved the terms of reference.

“We hope the new EIA requirements are not made retrospective,” Chow said yesterday.

The state has proposed reclaim ing about 1,500ha of land off the southwestern coast of the island to fund its ambitious RM46bil mega-transportation project.

The terms of reference for the ongoing EIA study has been approved by the DoE.

On Wednesday, the Environment and Natural Resources Ministry said new compulsory procedures for EIA and DEIA studies for all development projects in the country would be submitted to the Cabinet, National Land Council and National Physical Planning Council before implementation.

Its minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said when approved, it would be the new EIA and DEIA system to be followed nationwide.

He urged all states to stop reclamation projects pending the study for a new dualassessment system for development projects.

Chow assured that the reclamation project south of the island would not start as the EIA had yet to be completed.

“We welcome the setting up of the joint committee to study reclamation projects in Penang by the ministry.

“If the ministry feels there are certain areas which need to be studied in greater detail, we are ready to cooperate,” he said.

“We are willing to comply with any additional requirement and work within the legal framework.

“We will wait for Federal Government’s approval (based on current approved guidelines) before starting work to reclaim land south of Penang Island.”

Chow said this when visiting the pump house at Taman Chai Leng in Prai.

He said the state assembly had also approved a motion that the reclamation work at the south of the island would not start without Putrajaya approval.

“This is to inform all that we are conducting the EIA according to the terms of reference agreed by DoE,” he added.

Meanwhile, Sahabat Alam Malaysia and Consumers Association of Penang president S.M. Mohamed Idris called for the new EIA and DEIA requirements to include alternatives and the option to call off the proposed projects if the environmental and social impact was severe.

Mohamed Idris said public feedback should also be taken into account.

He said independent consultants, paid through an independent fund, would prevent biased EIA or DEIA “that favour their paymasters”.

Idris said Penang should put on hold the reclamation work pending the approval of new requirements.