Scrap Batu Arang WTE plant, Selangor govt urged

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, September 26, 2026

The Selangor state government is considering relocating the proposed Sultan Idris Shah Green Energy Plant from Batu Arang after residents raised health and environmental concerns and questioned the adequacy of the current buffer zone. This reconsideration signals ongoing tensions between the need for sustainable waste management infrastructure and community demands for safer, more transparent site selection processes.

The Selangor state government is considering relocating a proposed waste-to-energy (WTE) plant currently planned for Batu Arang near Rawang, following objections from local residents. The plant, officially named the Sultan Idris Shah (SIS) Green Energy Plant, has faced opposition due to health, safety, and environmental concerns raised by the community over the past three years.

Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari publicly acknowledged that the existing 500-meter buffer zone around the site is inadequate, suggesting that a larger buffer should be considered for such projects. This admission has prompted further questions from community groups regarding the original site assessment, which was based on the current, now-deemed insufficient, buffer criteria.

Jaringan Rawang Tolak Insinerator (JRTI), a local activist group representing Batu Arang residents, welcomed the Mentri Besar’s statement but emphasized that the government’s indication of a possible relocation stops short of a firm commitment. JRTI called on the Selangor government to formally remove Batu Arang as a candidate location for the WTE plant, warning that residents require clear and decisive government action rather than tentative proposals.

The group underscored that any alternative site must not be situated near residential areas and should be subject to a transparent evaluation process encompassing environmental, safety, and traffic considerations. JRTI also stressed the importance of involving affected communities in meaningful consultations before any final decisions are made, rejecting the notion that risks could simply be shifted to other neighborhoods for the sake of convenience.

The Selangor government has not yet made a final decision on the plant’s location. Meanwhile, community representatives have indicated they will continue to engage through official channels to ensure their concerns remain front and center in the planning process.

The SIS Green Energy Plant is part of broader efforts to manage waste and generate energy sustainably within the state, but the debate over the Batu Arang site highlights the challenges of balancing infrastructure development with community welfare and environmental protection.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.