KUALA LUMPUR – A Johor-based oil palm company has received heat from authorities over its failure to obtain an approved environmental impact assessment (EIA) prior to developing a plantation in Endau.
In a written parliamentary reply, Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (Setiawangsa-PH) said that the company, AA Sawit Sdn Bhd, had breached the Environmental Quality Act 1974 by commencing works without the required approvals.
“The ministry through the Environment Department (DoE) has issued a stop-work order (to the company) under Section 34AA of the act to halt development activities.
“The DoE will also be opening an investigation paper under Section 34A(6) for carrying out activities without an EIA,” the PKR lawmaker said in response to a question from Lee Chean Chung (Petaling Jaya-PH) on allegations against the company.
Nik Nazmi added that the company will have to implement rehabilitative works to repair project site conditions and avoid pollution to surrounding rivers.
In August last year, environmental watchdog Macaranga reported that AA Sawit had already undertaken development works for a 3,775-ha oil palm plantation, despite only handing in an EIA report in June or July.
It cited satellite images showing that more than 600ha of forest in the area had been cleared between 2020 and 2021 – prior to the company submitting its EIA report. – The Vibes, March 21, 2023
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