SIM BAK HENG New Straits Times 27 Dec 14;
JOHOR BARU: THE Department of Environment (DOE) has deferred its decision on the detailed environmental impact assessment (DEIA) report on the controversial Forest City project following recommendations by a panel of experts to minimise impact on the Straits of Johor.
The recommendations would be incorporated into the DEIA, and its implementation would be monitored by government agencies.
The experts, from various departments, such as the Marine Department, the Drainage and Irrigation Department and the Johor Baru Tengah Municipal Council, together with academicians, attended a meeting on Tuesday to evaluate the Forest City DEIA report.
It is learnt that some of the experts had given their recommendations on mitigation and rectification measures and shared the same interest of preventing the straits from further damage.
“The matter has not been finalised. There are procedural matters that need to be ironed out. However, a decision will be made soon,” said a panel expert who attended the meeting. Based on anecdotal evidence, another expert said the DEIA report was likely to be accepted after the recommendations from the experts had been included.
“The announcement is a matter of time. When it is hard to reverse a decision, the only way is to minimise its impact, and this is the least we can do. If the ultimate goal is to reject the report, it doesn’t make sense to go through such a lengthy process to incorporate the recommendations.
“The DOE may just say no immediately,” added the expert.
The project’s estimated cost is RM600 billion.
The project, an ambitious endeavour involving four reclaimed islands, generated controversy because of the massive work involved, environmental issues and concerns raised by Singapore.
The DEIA report had to be revised following a diplomatic note from Singapore, which had asked for details on the project and its impact on the Straits of Johor as the project was near the border.
