I didn’t approve the Jelutong dumpsite, says Dr Teng
Press Statement by Penang Barisan Nasional Working Committee Chairman
Dato’ Dr Teng Hock Nan
Aug 24, 2011
Former state executive councillor Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan said today that the Jelutong dumpsite has been existing for umpteen years and certainly it is not “me who approved” the site.
Dr Teng, who is also Penang Barisan Nasional Working Committee chairman, said in fact when
he was Exco in charge of local government, he had stopped the Jelutong dumpsite from taking in
organic waste and instead had it transferred to the Pulau Burong landfill in Seberang Prai.
“For Exco in charge of health, welfare, environment and caring society Phee Boon Poh to say that
I had approved the Jelutong dumpsite is sheer ignorance and nonsense,” Dr Teng said in a press
statement.
However, Dr Teng agreed that he had advocated a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) system when he
was a State Exco member.
“Yes, I advocate MRF but whether it is to be at the Jelutong dumpsite, Pulau Burong or elsewhere,
there is no decision made during my tenure,” he said, adding that MRF is the way forward for waste
management for Penang instead of using incinerators.
“I appreciate that the present state government is following up with my proposal to use MRF,” he
said.
Dr Teng urged the state government to immediately find an alternative site which is suitable other
than Jelutong to carry out waste management including MRF, instead of blaming the previous
Barisan Nasional state government.
Dr Teng reiterated that the Jelutong dumpsite had outlived its usefulness and that it was unsuitable
to be located in the midst of commercial and residential development.
On Phee’s statement that RM817, 215 had been collected since July 2009 and the money was used
to support hardcore poor families, Dr Teng said he was surprised that after two years, only RM817,
215 was collected.
“The people would like to know the amount was collected from how many commercial outlets and
supermarkets, the monthly collections, how many hardcore poor families have since received the
money and who are these people?”
“There should be transparency and accountability, a motto advocated by the state government. Is
there a reduction in the use of plastic bags and what is the quantum?” Dr Teng asked.
