A coalition of residents and civil society groups protesting the proposed Batu Arang waste-to-energy (WTE) incinerator today urged the Selangor state government and the Environment Department (DOE) to completely scrap the project.
This came after the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report of the project, known as the Sultan Idris Shah Green Energy Plant, was rejected by DOE for the third time.
In a statement, Rawang Tolak Incinerator Network (RTI) said the repeated rejection highlighted “fundamental flaws in the project’s design and location suitability”.
Citing a Parliamentary response by the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry, the group said DOE had previously rejected the project twice due to deficiencies in environmental and geological risk assessments.
“The third rejection, publicly listed on Feb 9, 2026, further confirms that the project cannot meet required environmental standards.
“We commend the DOE of the Madani government for upholding environmental standards and taking the community’s concerns seriously.
“We urge DOE to reject the project completely if it cannot guarantee zero risk to geological stability, air quality, public health, and local communities,” it said.
Four submissions in a year
Checks on the authority’s website showed that project proponent YTL Power Generation Sdn Bhd had submitted an EIA report for the WTE through a consultant firm four times between April 22, 2025 and Feb 9, 2026.
It was stated that the report was rejected twice before a third attempt on Nov 25, 2025, was returned with a “Perlu Kemaskini” status (Update Required).
The company then submitted its report once again on Feb 9, which was met with another rejection.
Raising their concerns over the company’s repeated submissions, the group called for YTL Power Generation and state-owned waste management company KDEB Waste Management Sdn Bhd to explain and justify why the project should continue.
“As this is a Selangor state government project, Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari must clarify its position and explain any support in light of repeated EIA failures and sustained community opposition.
“The public deserves transparency and accountability.
“We urge all parties - DOE, YTL, KDEB, and the Selangor state government - to abandon the Sultan Idris Shah Green Energy Plant project and engage openly with the community to provide full clarity on past decisions,” RTI said.
According to the group, residents of Batu Arang in Rawang would submit a protest memorandum to the Selangor menteri besar at his office this Monday to urge the withdrawal of the plan.
Coal seams and the possibility of fire, explosions
The proposed incinerator in Rawang is one of several such plants approved by the Selangor state government.
Batu Arang residents have opposed the project over health, safety, and environmental concerns.
This includes the town’s geographical structure due to its location on former open-cast coal mines, which the group said makes the land unstable and poses a risk of collapse.
The group said there were also coal seams about 50km long under Batu Arang, and a waste-to-energy plant opens the possibility of fire or an explosion. - Mkini
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