AUDIT REPORT The National Solid Wastes Management Department (JPSPN) spent RM199 million on incinerators over the last four years, and then found there was no expertise to operate such machines in Malaysia.
All four incinerators at tourist spots in the islands of Langkawi, Pangkor and Tioman and in Cameron Highlands saw construction delays of two to three times their original schedules.
And even after completion, the Auditor-General's 2012 Report says, three of the incinerators were not operated for 223 to 642 days, all because of the lack of expertise.
A fifth incinerator planned for Labuan was scrapped.
Meanwhile, garbage piled up outside the incinerators. The Pahang government alone spent nearly RM1 million last year to clean up the mess the old way, the report said.
The RM199 million spent by JPSPN for incinerators from 2008 to 2012 was about 59 percent of the total federal allocated budget of RM337.5 million.
"The decision to build four incinerator plants simultaneously at four locations ... even as the technology is quite new and untested have resulted in delays," the 2012 AG report says.
The Pangkor Island incinerator only began operations 642 days after its construction was completed. That's a delay of more than 21 months.
Meanwhile, the Langkawi and Cameron Highlands plants were still not operational as of December 2012, even though a Certificate of Practical Completion (CPC) has been issued, it said.
All four incinerators at tourist spots in the islands of Langkawi, Pangkor and Tioman and in Cameron Highlands saw construction delays of two to three times their original schedules.
And even after completion, the Auditor-General's 2012 Report says, three of the incinerators were not operated for 223 to 642 days, all because of the lack of expertise.
A fifth incinerator planned for Labuan was scrapped.
Meanwhile, garbage piled up outside the incinerators. The Pahang government alone spent nearly RM1 million last year to clean up the mess the old way, the report said.
The RM199 million spent by JPSPN for incinerators from 2008 to 2012 was about 59 percent of the total federal allocated budget of RM337.5 million.
"The decision to build four incinerator plants simultaneously at four locations ... even as the technology is quite new and untested have resulted in delays," the 2012 AG report says.
The Pangkor Island incinerator only began operations 642 days after its construction was completed. That's a delay of more than 21 months.
Meanwhile, the Langkawi and Cameron Highlands plants were still not operational as of December 2012, even though a Certificate of Practical Completion (CPC) has been issued, it said.
Tioman plan still under construction
As of May 6 this year, the Tioman plant was still under construction, stretching beyond its previously set deadline of June 10, 2012.
According to the AG report, other factors for operational delays was due to haggling over price issues and the finance ministry's slow approval for a suitable company to operate the plants.
Incineration or “mass burning” is the common solid waste disposal method globally, after landfill.
However, it can be one of the most expensive waste treatment facilities, especially when equipped with energy recovery and advanced emission control technology.
The AG Report said that even the plant contractors fell behind. The plants, which were supposed to be built in 18- to 24 months, were all due in 2009-2010.
Therefore, the contractors for Langkawi and Pangkor plants were fined RM1.31 million and RM173,000 respectively for late delivery.
Cameron Highlands plant built on schedule
The still uncompleted Tioman incinerator has accumulated Liquidated and Ascertained Damages (LAD) of RM1.39 million to date.
Only the Cameron Highlands plant was completed on schedule, after it was given some extra leeway.
JPSPN, which comes under the Urban Well-being, Housing and Local Government Ministry, was established in 2007.
According to its website, its vision is to "provide a sustainable, integrated, efficient and cost-effective solid waste and public cleansing management system".
Meanwhile in Sarawak, the Auditor-General found that incinerators bought for RM400,000 each by Veterinary Departments in Kuching, Sarikei, Miri and Bintulu between 1997 and 2004 were collecting dust as they do not comply with environmental standards.
The incinerator purchased by the state Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory stopped operating in 2011 while the one in Miri was found to have never been assembled since 2003.
In response, the Sarawak Agriculture Department said the incinerator in Miri was never used as the Miri local government said it affected the city's "landscape and image."
According to the AG report, other factors for operational delays was due to haggling over price issues and the finance ministry's slow approval for a suitable company to operate the plants.
Incineration or “mass burning” is the common solid waste disposal method globally, after landfill.
However, it can be one of the most expensive waste treatment facilities, especially when equipped with energy recovery and advanced emission control technology.
The AG Report said that even the plant contractors fell behind. The plants, which were supposed to be built in 18- to 24 months, were all due in 2009-2010.
Therefore, the contractors for Langkawi and Pangkor plants were fined RM1.31 million and RM173,000 respectively for late delivery.
Cameron Highlands plant built on schedule
The still uncompleted Tioman incinerator has accumulated Liquidated and Ascertained Damages (LAD) of RM1.39 million to date.
Only the Cameron Highlands plant was completed on schedule, after it was given some extra leeway.
JPSPN, which comes under the Urban Well-being, Housing and Local Government Ministry, was established in 2007.
According to its website, its vision is to "provide a sustainable, integrated, efficient and cost-effective solid waste and public cleansing management system".
Meanwhile in Sarawak, the Auditor-General found that incinerators bought for RM400,000 each by Veterinary Departments in Kuching, Sarikei, Miri and Bintulu between 1997 and 2004 were collecting dust as they do not comply with environmental standards.
The incinerator purchased by the state Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory stopped operating in 2011 while the one in Miri was found to have never been assembled since 2003.
In response, the Sarawak Agriculture Department said the incinerator in Miri was never used as the Miri local government said it affected the city's "landscape and image."
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