Negri MB has shown great foresight

I applaud the decision by Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar in rejecting an RM8bil investment to set up a petrochemical plant in Port Dickson (The Star, June 26).

The decision was prudent because the trade-off for the loss of economic revenues and job opportunities generated by tourism industries along the Port Dickson coast is unlikely to be compensated by the petrochemical plant. A more important concern is that of the health and safety of the local residents and environment.

Petrochemical is a heavy industry that produces chemical products derived from petroleum. In the process, toxic chemicals such as Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), benzene, toluene, sulphur dioxide – among many other pollutants – are released into the air, river and sea. Some of the prominent petrochemical plants in Malaysia are located in Kertih, Labuan, Pasir Gudang, Port Dickson and Miri.

In the last couple of years, more petrochemical plants have been proposed throughout the country. Some of them, like the one in Sungai Pulai, Johor, have sadly been earmarked in an environmentally sensitive area that has one of the most productive mangrove ecosystems in the country.

If we sum up the values of the ecosystem services derived from the mangrove forest in terms of water purification, oxygen production, fisheries productivity, endangered species conservation, tourism and flood prevention for the next 100 years, the value would dwarf revenues generated by a petrochemical plant occupying the same acreage of land.

One day, when the world runs out of fuel and when critical ecosystems are depleted or no longer functional, what kind of environment will our future generations have to bear? Aren’t we supposed to be more actively engaging and exploring an alternative, clean source of energy now?

On a different note, there are numerous scientific evidence documenting the development of leukaemia and various types of cancers among residents living close to petrochemical sites.

In developed countries like Canada and Taiwan, there are strict guidelines that require petrochemical plants to be located at least 3km away from the nearest residential area. But in our country, according to the standard established by the Department of Environment, the minimal distance is set for only 500m. Has the safety issue been overlooked?

Our political leaders should follow the footsteps of the Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar who has avoided the pitfalls of sacrificing the environment for short-term economic gains. They need the foresight to make decisions that will leave positive impacts beyond their political horizons.

CHOO CHEE KUANG,
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu.

Source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/7/16/focus/4325795&sec=focus