IPOH: All development projects in Perak need to go through an environment impact assessment (EIA) before approval is given.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said it is the policy of the state government to ensure approved projects do not cause any environmental damage.
“The EIA report needs to be submitted by the developers first,” he told reporters after opening an Umno colloquium involving its Wanita, Putera and Puteri wings here yesterday.
Dr Zambry was commenting on a protest by about 50 residents of Kota Baru in Gopeng against a planned cement factory there.
Denying he knew the land had been converted from a purported housing project to an industrial site, he said: “When I became mentri besar, the proposal was already tabled.”
He claimed the cement factory was mooted by the deposed Pakatan Rakyat administration.
“They were the ones who tried to convince the people on the benefits of having the factory.
“Now, the very same people are going against it,” said Dr Zambry.
