Malaysia: Government to study Pengerang petrochemical plant EIA

DOE to study differences
The Star 12 Jul 13;

THE Department of Environment will compare the detailed environmental impact assessment (DEIA) of the controversial Pengerang Rapid project with a similar rejected plan in Taiwan to further study the project’s effects.

Deputy Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Dr James Dawos Mamit said a panel, under the department, would study the DEIA on the proposed petrochemical refinery in Pengerang, Johor.

“As far as I know, the plans to build a similar plant in Taiwan was at a small area by the sea, which has been identified as a dolphin conservation site,” he said in reply to a supplementary question by Teo Nie Ching (DAP-Kulai).

Teo had pointed out that the Kuo Kuang Petrochemical Technology Company wanted to build its plant in Taiwan but the proposal was rejected by the Taiwanese people and their government.

She asked the deputy minister why the project was rejected if it brought revenue and job opportunities for the Taiwanese people.

It was reported that the company wanted to set up a refinery in Johor after failing to the go-ahead in Taiwan due to public protests.

National And International Standards Used For Rapid Project In Pengerang
Bernama 11 Jul 13;

KUALA LUMPUR, July 11 (Bernama) -- The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry uses national and international standards as guidelines for the environmental assessment impact (EIA) study for the integrated refinery and petrochemical project (RAPID) in Pengerang, Johor.

Its deputy minister Datuk Dr James Dawos Mamit said the evaluation through the two standards used could show the extent of environmental pollution caused by the project in a more specific manner.

"After evaluating using the national standards, we will refer to the international standards so that any information on pollution caused can be gathered for control measures to be taken," he said in reply to a question from Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said (BN-Pengerang) in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Azalina wanted to know the EIA status with regard to Kuo Kuang Petrochemical Malaysia Sdn Bhd which planned to invest in the RAPID project in Pengerang and whether the appointment of Daya Eco Techno as the environmental consultant was known to the Department of Environment (DOE).

Dawos said preparation of the EIA report also included evaluation of the project field by a group of consultants well-versed with the current environmental status and all their analyses were scrutinised by an evaluation panel for further action.

He said the evaluation panel comprised local and international environmental experts, representatives of non-governmental organisations and experts from related agencies who would meet to determine the level of pollution as stated in the report.

"The RAPID project will have many benefits and generate economic returns for the country, besides providing more career opportunities for the locals. That is why we are very careful about the environmental status of the project on the local community in future.

He said the evaluation report had been uploaded to the DOE website and was also displayed at selected public places in the area from May 30 to June 28 for public knowledge.

-- BERNAMA

National and international standards used for Rapid project in Pengerang
Sin Chew Jit Poh 11 Jul 13;

KUALA LUMPUR, July 11 (Bernama) -- The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry uses national and international standards as guidelines for the environmental assessment impact (EIA) study for the integrated refinery and petrochemical project (Rapid) in Pengerang, Johor.

Its deputy minister Datuk Dr James Dawos Mamit said the evaluation through the two standards used could show the extent of environmental pollution caused by the project in a more specific manner.

"After evaluating using the national standards, we will refer to the international standards so that any information on pollution caused can be gathered for control measures to be taken," he said in reply to question from Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said (BN-Pengerang) in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Azalina wanted to know the EIA status with regard to Kuo Kuang Petrochemical Malaysia Sdn Bhd which planned to invest in the Rapid project in Pengerang and whether the appointment of Daya Eco Techno as the environmental consultant was known to the Department of Environment (DOE).

Dawos said preparation of the EIA report also included evaluation of the project field by a group of consultants well-versed with the current environmental status and all their analyses were scrutinised by an evaluation panel for further action.

He said the evaluation panel comprised local and international environmental experts, representatives of non-governmental organisations and experts from related agencies who would meet to determine the level of pollution as stated in the report.

"The Rapid project will have many benefits and generate economic returns for the country, besides providing more career opportunities for the locals. That is why we are very careful about the environmental status of the project on the local community in future.

He said the evaluation report had been uploaded to the DOE website and was also displayed at selected public places in the area from May 30 to June 28 for public knowledge.


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