24 March, 2012

Form Panel of Experts to Review Batu Kawan Solar Panel (photovoltaic) plant to avoid China pollution crisis

About 2 weeks ago, I have raised concern over Penang proposed Solar Panel (photovoltaic) factory at Batu Kawan. This is in view of the environmental pollution crisis in Zhejiang village in China last year (September) as a result of such plant.

However, Penang government had brushed aside the matter as non-issue. No details were revealed as to how the state will avoid similar environmental pollution as in Zhejiang village.

Last Saturday, I have revealed that the proposed Solar Panel factory would also require Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) approval as the plant involves radioactivity substance.

It has now been revealed that the Solar Panel factory has yet to obtain or even applied for AELB approval.

So, what will Penang government say now about this?

I would suggest Penang government form a panel of experts to review the proposed Solar Panel (photovoltaic) factory & ensure similar environmental pollutions in China won't happen at Batu Kawan.

We should not take risk on matters that can be averted.
Let's #savePenang

14 March, 2012

PENANG CHIEF MINISTER SHOULD BE MORE CONCERN ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

I refer to the recent issue surrounding the setting up of a solar panel (photovoltaic) manufacturing plant at Batu Kawan.

In my statement 2 days ago, I have called for Penang Chief Minister YAB Lim Guan Eng to reveal the environmental impact of the solar panel (photovoltaic) manufacturing plant in view of the pollution crisis at Zhejiang village in China as a result of a similar factory. As such, I have also requested for the disclosure of the steps to be taken by Penang to avert such pollution like have seen in China.

Some 500 villagers at Zhejiang village staged a three-day protest following the death of large numbers of fish in a local river. Tests on water samples showed high levels of fluoride, which can be toxic in high doses

The solar panel (photovoltaic) manufacturing plant at Zhejiang had been closed down by authorities in China after the pollution incident in September, 2011.

[ Source: BBC News – 19th September, 2011
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-14968605 ]

However, yesterday, Penang Chief Minister YAB Lim Guan Eng brush aside this issue and claim that the solar panel (photovoltaic) manufacturing plant was approved by federal government agencies, including the Department of Environment (DOE) and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida).

With due respect to the Penang Chief Minister, the land for the manufacturing plant had been sold by Penang Development Corporation (PDC), where the Sale & Purchase Agreement was signed on 29th February, 2012. The manufacturing plant would also be subjected to planning approvals by the local authorities in Penang.

It’s also within the authority of Penang state government to ensure proper safety regulations be made and adhered to avoid similar pollution crisis in Batu Kawan like what we have seen as a result of a solar panel (photovoltaic) manufacturing plant at Zhejiang.

I hope that YAB Lim Guan Eng would take this environmental issue seriously and review the approvals for the solar panel (photovoltaic) manufacturing plant. Appropriate regulations should be made to ensure there will not be any environmental crisis in Batu Kawan as a result of the solar panel (photovoltaic) manufacturing plant.

This is not the time to point fingers as to who approve the project but rather all parties should work together to ensure the well being of our people and their environment.

12 March, 2012

KETUA MENTERI PULAU PINANG HARUS PERJELAS KESAN ALAM SEKITAR KILANG MENGHASIL PANEL SOLAR (PHOTOVOLTAIC)

Saya merujuk kepada keputusan kerajaan Pakatan Rakyat Pulau Pinang untuk membenarkan sebuah syarikat asing untuk membina sebuah kilang untuk menghasilkan panel solar (photovoltaic) & komponennya di Batu Kawan.

Pada 9 Mac, 2012, BOSCH Solar Energy telah dilaporkan membayar RM11.6 juta sebagai 20% bayaran pendahuluan bagi pembelian tapak kilang 32.3 hektar di Batu Kawan.

[ Sumber: The Star 9 Mac, 2012 ]
Link: http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2012/3/9/north/10831641&sec=north

Pada tahun lepas, sebuah kilang di negara China yang juga menghasilkan panel solar (photovoltaic) dan komponennya telah menerima bantahan dari ramai penduduk tempatan. Ia telah dilaporkan bahawa kilang sedemikian telah membawa kesan buruk terhadap alam sekitar, termasuk pencemaran sungai dan udara di persekitaran kilang tersebut.

[ Sumber: The Guardian 18 September, 2011 ]
Link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/sep/18/chinese-solar-panel-factory-protest

Saya setuju bahawa penggunaan solar untuk menjana elektrik merupakan suatu sumber tenaga yang bersih dan tidak menjejaskan alam sekitar.

Tetapi ia juga merupakan fakta bahawa proses menghasilkan panel solar (photovoltaic) dan komponennya mempunyai kesan buruk terhadap alam sekitar.

Dalam hal ini, Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang YAB Lim Guan Eng perlu berterus terang dengan rakyat apakah kesan-kesan alam sekitar yang mungkin dialami akibat kilang penghasilan solar panel (photovoltaic) yang diluluskan oleh kerajaan Pakatan Rakyat di Batu Kawan, Pulau Pinang.

Beliau juga harus memperjelaskan apakah langkah yang bakal diambil oleh Pakatan Rakyat untuk mengelak pencemaran alam sekitar seperti yang telah berlaku di negara China akibat kilang solar panel (photovoltaic) sedemikian.

06 March, 2012

PAS SHOULD RESPECT KEDAH CONSTITUTION *** STEERING COMMITTEE SHOULD NOT CIRCUMVENT MB KEDAH ROLE ***

I refer to the recent controversy in Kedah involving the setting up of a steering committee by PAS to oversee the decision taken by Menteri Besar of Kedah. This is one of the solutions suggested to resolve the current turmoil surrounding the current Kedah government.

It has been reported in news that the PAS steering committee can censor or even overrule Menteri Besar of Kedah on any decision.

[ Source: NST – 6th March, 2012 ]

The formation of PAS steering committee had raised serious questions in relation to chain of command in the state administration of Kedah.

The existence of PAS steering committee would indirectly absorb the role & powers accorded to the Menteri Besar of Kedah under the Kedah Constitution. This is clearly unconstitutional.

I demand PAS respect the Kedah Constitution and not to form any body or panel that intend to circumvent the function of Menteri Besar of Kedah, who is appointed by Sultan of Kedah under the Kedah Constitution.

PAS should not attempt to change the administration structure in Kedah under the pre-text of solving internal conflicts among their leaders.

If PAS believe their leaders are not capable in running the state of Kedah, then they should replace such leaders and give it to others who can administer the state in an orderly manner.

On whether the PAS steering committee would absolve the role of DAP & PKR in Kedah or not, I believe that is an internal matter of Pakatan and would not make much difference as Kedah has been known as a PAS-led state.