Batu Arang folks fret over waste facility, but expert says not to worry

Residents in Batu Arang are apprehensive about a proposed waste-to-energy (WTE) plant, despite assurances from experts that the risks are minimal. The Sultan Idris Shah (SIS) Green Energy Plant, set to be developed by KDEB Waste Management in collaboration with YTL Power International, has triggered concerns among locals due to potential pollution and odor issues.

Zulfaizi Rusli, a 40-year-old resident, worries that the frequent transportation of garbage could result in dirty water leaking into the district's rivers and affecting hiking and cycling areas. Longtime resident Rusli Sharif, 71, fears the plant could negatively impact tourism and air quality. Mus musician Hashiamaldin Bazin, 58, recalls the foul smell from nearby pig farms and fears a similar issue with the waste facility.

Despite these concerns, Agamuthu Pitchiah, an academic expert in waste management, assures that modern WTE plants are designed with containment measures for odors and emissions. These plants utilize negative pressure to draw in air and odors outside, while also employing catalytic converters and fiber filters to treat toxic chemicals released during combustion.

Agamuthu emphasizes that any WTE plant must undergo a detailed environmental impact assessment (EIA), which includes reviewing proximity to homes, odor concerns, and lorry transportation.