KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 – The Department of Environment (DOE), under the Ministry of Environment, plays a critical role in safeguarding public health and environmental integrity by scrutinising Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) for major projects. These assessments, mandated by the DOE, come with stringent conditions meant to prevent accidents and ensure safe development. However, the DOE’s recent handling of these responsibilities has come under intense scrutiny. A glaring example of this negligence can be seen at the construction site of the Air Itam to Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway in Penang.
Despite being flagged by Parti Rakyat Malaysia’s Pulau Pinang Branch last year, no significant actions were taken by the DOE to address the ongoing violations. Recent incidents, including rock blasts damaging nearby properties and mud floods affecting local roads, highlight the severity of non-compliance. The DOE’s reliance on developer-provided reports every three months and its policy of self-regulation are insufficient. The lack of proactive and surprise inspections has allowed developers to bypass safety protocols, risking public safety. Minister for Environment YB Nik Nazmi must enforce stricter oversight, ensure accountability within the DOE, and restore its role as a vigilant regulatory body.
