DOE makes environmental impact reports downloadable

Putrajaya has quietly made it possible for the public to download copies of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports submitted to the Department of Environment (DOE) since Sept 4.

Previously, these voluminous documents could only be read through web browsers with the download option removed. Alternatively, the public can view physical copies of the documents at the DOE state offices, public libraries and relevant local authority offices.

The DOE required project proponents of matters described in the Second Schedule of the Environmental Quality (Prescribed Activities) (Environmental Impact Assessment) Order 2015 to display EIA reports for 30 days.

These EIA reports are a critical document that can decide the fate of projects in environmentally sensitive areas. Moreover, the public is given 45 days, beginning from the display date, to provide feedback.

Following this, the Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Ministry's (NRECC) technical committee will evaluate the EIA reports and the public feedback.

Recently, NRECC deemed the proposed new airport for Tioman island to be dangerous for the environment, based on the EIA. Subsequently, cabinet decided to stop the project.

Minister wants transparency

Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad told Malaysiakini that he had decided to make EIA downloadable because Putrajaya wanted to secure as much public opinion and input as possible.

In the case of the EIA for the Tioman airport, 1,412 feedback from people or entities were received by the DOE.

"I encourage the public to reference the EIA report to gather information regarding the development proposal.

"We will continue making the EIA reports available online on the DOE's website and social media platforms for easy access by the public from any location.

"We are also looking to further enhance this, by reviewing our policies and procedures to ensure greater transparency and accountability," he told Malaysiakini via email reply.

Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad

Activist: We can do better

Meanwhile, Adam Farhan, the director of environmental watchdog Rimbawatch, welcomed Putrajaya's new policy but stressed that more policy adjustments were needed to achieve greater transparency.

Adam said only EIA reports for activities under the Second Schedule are required to be displayed online, but the vast majority of EIA reports are under the First Schedule.

"Therefore, the public still has zero access to these EIAs," he said, adding that greater transparency for Second Schedule EIAs was a "low-hanging fruit".

In the past, there have been incidents where logging companies applied for multiple logging permits involving less than 500 hectares, which qualified their project under the First Schedule and thereby had no obligation to have their EIA reports subject to public scrutiny.

The full list of activities under the First and Second Schedule are described here. - Mkini