THE proposed rehabilitation project at the Jelutong landfill has not been halted despite the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) setback, says Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Chow explained that the process is ongoing, as the developer may resubmit its application to address conditions raised by the Department of Environment (DOE).
“I made the statement that if no EIA is obtained, no work can proceed. That is in accordance with the law,” he told reporters during a press conference at Komtar today.
However, Chow said the media should seek clarification directly from the DOE regarding the letter issued on the project.
“I don’t want to comment on the DOE letter. It’s better to ask them what the letter means, whether it is final or if the process is still ongoing,” he said.
He added that the state had appointed the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) as the project leader from the start, and the agency will now review the letter.
“PDC will study the DOE letter and make the appropriate recommendations,” he said.
Chow emphasised that the developer could still resubmit the application if certain conditions had not been complied with.
“If the developer resubmits on the points that have not been complied with, the process is still active. It is not the end yet,” he said.
He added that the state government must allow the approval process to be fully exhausted before taking any further action under the development agreement.
“The developer cannot simply stop while still seeking the EIA. The process must be exhausted before we exercise the rights under the agreement,” he said.
On the possibility of scrapping the project, Chow said the government would need to examine its legal obligations under the agreement.
“If you want to scrap it, we would have to review the legal obligations and whether compensation is required,” he said.
Chow also indicated that the project might need revision following concerns raised during the EIA process. Some residents had suggested that the landfill rehabilitation could proceed without the reclamation component.
“They say rehabilitation can go on, but reclamation maybe not,” he said.
Chow said the state government will consider its options moving forward.
“Without the EIA, we need to think about how to move forward. We haven’t crossed that bridge yet,” he said.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Siew Chia En
Video by Law Suun Ting