Group says ‘no’ to recycling machine at Jelutong landfill
ProtectKarpal asks why residents should face the risks of industrial-scale waste processing when off-site treatment is a possible alternative.
A residents' group has objected to the developer of the Jelutong landfill rehabilitation project for seeking planning permission to install and operate a recycling machine on the site for a limited time. Protect Karpal Singh Drive Action Committee questioned why local residents should take on the risks associated with industrial-scale waste processing, suggesting off-site treatment at properly equipped facilities should be considered as an alternative.
The group also expressed concerns about the potential for waste-processing activities, such as mechanical crushing and sorting, to produce fine particulate matter, noise, and odour, as well as the possibility of disturbing buried waste and releasing landfill gases and contaminants. ProtectKarpal called for an independent assessment of the project's feasibility, recommending that any intensive crushing, sorting, and recycling be carried out away from densely populated communities and instead conducted at suitable off-site locations with enclosed processing systems, pollution controls, and safe disposal arrangements.
Executive councillor Hng Mooi Lye announced on Wednesday that PLB Engineering Bhd had been extended until January 31 to secure approval for the project, which had previously been approved on October 28. The councillor said the company had submitted an application to Penang PLAN Malaysia on November 2 for permission to install and operate the recycling machine on the site for a limited period.
PLB had failed to obtain environmental approval on five previous attempts, leading the state government to grant it multiple extensions. The latest extension expired on October 18, and ProtectKarpal expressed frustration with the extension, questioning why the government had reversed Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow's previous commitment to not grant any further extensions after that date.
The group asked Chow to explain the government's decision and provide the environmental and planning assessments that supported it.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- Group says ‘no’ to recycling machine at Jelutong landfill freemalaysiatoday.com
