ALOR STAR: The Langkawi incinerator plant is expected to resume its operation by June next year upon the completion of repair works on its critical components.
State Housing, Local Government and Health Committee chairman Major (Rtd) Mansor Zakaria (PN-Kuala Ketil) today informed the State Assembly that the plant's operator is currently carrying out repairs due to major damage to its critical components.
He said the Housing and Local Government Ministry, in May, had appointed Bumi Segar Indah Sdn Bhd as the new operator for the maintenance and operation of the plant, located in Kampung Belanga Pechah.
"However, the operator is currently performing custodial work involving housekeeping, landscaping, security control, and environmental management.
"According to the plan, repairs on Line 1 will take six months to complete due to major damage to critical components.
"It is anticipated that operations will start in June 2025," he said in response to a question from Datuk Dr Mohd Hayati Othman (PN-Tokai).
For the record, the Langkawi incinerator plant, built at a cost of RM187.74 million, was completed in May 2012 and in August 2013, an operator was appointed to operate the facility.
However, the Auditor General's Report 2012 which was tabled in Parliament in August 2013, pointed out weaknesses and unsatisfactory performance of the incinerator.
In February 2014, the incinerator plant finally commenced its operation after 625 days of delay.
It was reported then that the plant was closed for several years due to technical issues and contractor management issues.
Mansor informed the House that the incinerator plant has begun operating under the supervision of Drizzle Engineering Sdn Bhd after passing testing and commissioning in October 2022.
He said in May this year, the ministry awarded the plant's operation and maintenance contract to Bumi Segar Indah Sdn Bhd for a six-year period starting from 3 May 2024 until 2 May 2030.
"The company is required to operate and maintain the incinerator plant, including upgrading it with the addition of components to Line B within two years from the date of the above appointment.
"The government believes that this plant will be capable of operating more effectively to incinerate all domestic waste in Langkawi district without the need for disposal at the Belanga Pechah Landfill, Langkawi," he said.
He informed the House that according to the contract, the operator is required to carry out waste incineration operations for a minimum of 3,000 hours annually, equivalent to 11 days per month.
"This period allows the operator to perform necessary maintenance and repairs to ensure the plant operates at an optimum level, with a capacity to incinerate up to 100 tonnes per day.
"This means the plant can incinerate up to 13,200 tonnes of waste annually," he said.
Mansor added that solid waste from the commercial and industrial sectors, however, will be disposed of at the Belanga Pechah Landfill, Langkawi.
He said the operation and maintenance of the landfill are managed by HAKS Engineering Sdn Bhd, with a tipping fee of RM 75.00 per tonne.
Mansor also informed the House that the government has appointed Wahyu Teknik Sdn Bhd to undertake the upgrading works at the existing Belanga Pechah Landfill, at a cost of RM25.7 million beginning Nov 4 and is expected to be completed by Oct 2027.