Media barred from public hearing, RTI questions state govt's move

The Rawang Tolak Insinerator Network (RTI) has questioned the Selangor state government’s decision to bar the media from attending a public hearing on the Selangor Draft Structure Plan 2035.

The group’s spokesperson Abdul Hanan Abd Mokti argued that journalists should be allowed to sit in for the hearing as the draft plan is a matter of public interest.

“(During the hearing), we’re planning to ask why the media was not allowed (to cover the proceedings),” Hanan told Malaysiakini before the hearing commenced at the Shah Alam Convention Centre today.

He said that while RTI and the government will be able to make comments following the conclusion of the event, the presence of the media at the hearing itself would ensure impartial and fair coverage.

“(RTI) will release our media statement after the event, but the state government will also issue a statement telling its side of the story,” he added.

It is understood that only those with proof of an official invitation sent via e-mail were allowed in, including the public.

The media was similarly barred from attending a previous hearing on Feb 10, which was postponed to today after RTI raised conflict of interest concerns involving the state exco chairing the meeting.

At that time, RTI had requested that Ng Suee Lim recuse himself from the proceedings as the local government, new village development and tourism exco also chairs the board of directors for KDEB Waste Management Sdn Bhd, the project operator for the proposed RM4.5 billion incinerator.

Malaysiakini has reached out to housing and culture exco Borhan Aman Shah, who is chairing the hearing today, for clarification on the apparent restriction against media.

Housing and culture exco Borhan Aman Shah

At today’s hearing, Hanan said RTI will be represented by eight speakers.

They are expected to address issues related to the proposed incinerator, such as the lack of transparency regarding the project approval process, environmental and health impacts as well as economic factors.

[More to follow] - Mkini