Media Statement Rawang Tolak Incinerator Network on 19th August 2023

The Waste-to-Energy Plant by Sultan Idris Shah (SIS) Green Energy Plant is one of the waste-to-energy plant projects developed by the Selangor state government in Mukim Rawang. The SIS plant is entrusted to KDEB and YTL Power International Berhad. The SIS plant is envisioned to be able to burn 2400 tons of solid waste per day, and the government has a plan to eventually expand the plant.

A waste-to-energy plant is an enhancement to the conventional incinerator plant, as it has the capacity to generate electricity. Despite the name, the waste-to-energy plant and the incinerator plant have the same characteristics in that they both use combustion to dispose of solid waste.

The combustion of solid waste will result in the production of fly ash, bottom ash, heat energy, and toxic gases.

The Aurecon consultant who conducted the environmental and social impact study for KDEB and YTL has provided an overview of the anticipated social and environmental impact after the SIS plant is operational, despite the fact that mitigation measures will be applied. In terms of its social impact, the plant is expected to cause traffic/garbage vehicle disruptions, aesthetic intrusion, decreased land value, leachate, and foul odours. Environmentally speaking, it is to be expected that there will be air pollution, noise pollution, vibration, and the emission of contaminants and unpleasant odours.[1]

In response to apprehensions regarding environmental pollution and anticipated disturbances resulting from the establishment of the plant, the Rawang Tolak Incinerator Network (RTI) was formed in August 2023 with the objective of expressing dissent to the authorities.

Members of RTI include residents of Batu Arang, M Residence, Kota Puteri, Bandar Tasik Puteri, and other nearby communities. RTI opposed the development of the SIS plant due to environmental concerns and solid waste management.

First of all, based on a report published by the United Nations in 2013, the Reststoffen Energie Centrale incineration plant in the Netherlands, which was equipped with the most advanced air emission control technology, was found to discharge dioxin in excess of the standard of 0.01 ng TEQ/Nm3.[2] This demonstrates that even the most innovative filtering equipment cannot ensure total security. For general knowledge, dioxin poses significant health hazards.

Second, the Department of Environment's guidance and lack of enforcement do not ensure the residents' safety and health. This is demonstrated in the Auditor General's Report, which states that the Tioman Island incinerator's emissions of carbon monoxide and sulphur oxides, which are also fitted with a sophisticated air filtering system, exceeded the established limit by at least 14.7 times.[3] The Auditor General issued a warning that "the effects of continuous hazardous gas emissions risk causing air pollution in the surrounding area.”[4]  

Third, as stated in the United Nations organization’s report, waste-to-energy plants will emit high quantities of greenhouse gases compared to the reduction and reuse of waste at the source.[5] This will cause Malaysia's carbon footprint to increase.

Fourth, to maintain stable operation, waste-to-energy plants need an ongoing supply of waste. This was criticised in the report of the United Nations organization as a significant disincentive to efforts to reduce waste production.[6]

Fifth, according to the implementing party, the SIS plant has the benefit of being able to combust waste, which generates 58 MW of power.[7] However, the United Nations agency stated in its assessment that the efficiency of power generation by combustion is limited due to the presence of acid flue gas.[8] Even a waste-to-energy plant will emit excess thermal energy into the atmosphere.

Sixth, the United Nations organization's report suggests that, from the perspective of resource use, the authorities should make efforts to reduce the production of waste and promote recycling and reuse as much as possible. Any development of a waste-to-energy plant should take into account the hierarchy of waste management and the 3Rs principles.[9]

Seventh, the Bandar Batu Arang Special Area Plan 2030 states that Bandar Batu Arang should be promoted as a Heritage City with an increase in the number of national heritage structures and recognised as a geological theme park in the future. Batu Arang is also identified as a major tourist attraction in terms of its coal mining heritage and growing economic opportunities for the local community. In short, the waste-to-energy plant's development is contrary to the Bandar Batu Arang Special Area Plan 2030 objectives and will jeopardise Batu Arang's efforts to become a heritage city.

By taking into consideration the United Nations report's conclusions and warnings, RTI believes that waste-to-energy plants or incinerators are not the best approach to managing waste compared to recycling and reuse using digital and sustainable technology.

RTI requests that the Selangor State Government establish and enforce waste separation legislation at the source in compliance with waste management's hierarchical principles in order to boost waste reduction and recycling efforts.

RTI also requested to hold a dialogue with the Chief Minister of Selangor to discuss this pressing issue.

[1] Cadangan Pembangunan Loji Sisa Ke Tenaga Sultan Idris Shah (SIS) Green Energy Plant Di Atas Lot 3847 Mukim Rawang, Selangor Darul Ehsan: Focus Group Discussion with Gabungan Anti-Insinerator Kebangsaan (GAIK), Aurecon Lestari Sdn. Bhd, 25 July 2023, pp. 19-20.

[2] Waste to Energy: Considerations for Informed Decision Making, United Nations Environment Programme, 2019, p. 33.

[3] Laporan Ketua Audit Negara 2019 Siri 1: Aktiviti Kementerian/Jabatan Kerajaan Persekutuan dan Badan-badan Berkanun Persekutuan, Jabatan Audit Negara, 2020, p. 8-19.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Chen Liu, Toru Nishiyam, Katsuya Kawamoto and So Sasaki, CCET guideline series on intermediate municipal solid waste treatment technologies: Waste-to-Energy Incineration, United Nations Environment Programme, 2020, p. 3.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Cadangan Pembangunan Loji Sisa Ke Tenaga Sultan Idris Shah (SIS) Green Energy Plant Di Atas Lot 3847 Mukim Rawang, Selangor Darul Ehsan: Focus Group Discussion with Gabungan Anti-Insinerator Kebangsaan (GAIK), p. 15.

[8] Chen Liu, Toru Nishiyam, Katsuya Kawamoto and So Sasaki, CCET guideline series on intermediate municipal solid waste treatment technologies: Waste-to-Energy Incineration, p.3.

[9] Ibid. 

Caption: Ahli RTI berkumpul and mengadakan perbincangan mengenai pembantahan projek insinerator Rawang.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Kf4Ugl40Dmf3brXuhYlhH0nexD6PGuet/view?usp=drive_link

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_nTg_gdDg2I-P45wMsTAfut6qUaYOAVj/view?usp=drive_link

https://drive.google.com/file/d/16s-s_3xIMaL9tcXNYfFgrLBBIvVADHLV/view?usp=drive_link