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Developers: Proposals on
environment law unfair
08/06/2006 New Straits Times
KUALA LUMPUR: Developers have not reacted too well to the fact that they
might be jailed if their projects damage the environment or trigger
landslides or other disasters.
They are also none too happy with the proposal to require an environmental
impact assessment (EIA) report regardless of the size of the development.
Environmental groups, however, lauded the two proposed amendments to the
Environmental Quality Act 1974.
Calling it an "overreaction", Real Estate and Housing Developers’
Association (Rehda) president Datuk Jeffrey Ng said the blanket requirement
for an EIA would add bureaucratic processes, increase costs and defeat the
Government’s efforts to improve its public delivery system.
"Rehda maintains that only large developments of 50ha or more, and all
environmentally-sensitive areas irrespective of size, should be subject to
EIA requirements," he said yesterday, adding that Rehda was of the view that
existing laws should be tightened.
"Putting the blame solely on developers for all environmental disasters is
grossly unfair and unreasonable."
Environmental groups threw their full support behind the proposed amendments
to the Act.
Malaysian Nature Society executive director Dr Loh Chi Leong was pleased
that some of its recommendations on the Act had been adopted.
"Areas designated as Environmental Sensitive Areas under the National
Physical Plan should require a mandatory detailed EIA," he added.
The Sabah Environmental Protection Association said any amendment to the Act
should consider how long developers and consultants could be held
responsible for damage to the environment.
"Rising land prices and motivation for profit often drive developers to go
for high-density development on small plots."
On Tuesday, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Azmi
Khalid said following the amendments expected to be completed by the end of
the year, developers and consultants would have to bear responsibility for
any ensuing environmental problems. |
