SEREMBAN: A chemical factory has been slapped the maximum RM100,000 fine for discharging hazardous substances into the public drainage.
The Department of Environment (DoE) said Zhen Xing Plastic Sdn Bhd was ordered to pay the fine after its managing director pleaded guilty to the charge before Sessions Court Judge Mazni Nawi on Wednesday (June 5).
The owner of the premises, located at the Senawang Industrial Park near here, was charged under Section 25(1) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974, which was punishable under Section 25(3) of the same Act.
The DoE said they received calls from the public around 1pm on May 21, 2021, complaining of an odour and breathing difficulties.
"Our officers went to the area to inspect the source of the odour.
"When we conducted a check at the chemical factory, we found a discharge of liquid into the public drainage, believed to have been from the cleaning up of chemical spills.
"The liquid then flowed into Sungai Simen, causing the odour," it said in a statement on Thursday (June 6).
The DoE said two samples were collected from the drain and sent to the Chemistry Department for analysis.
"It was later found that the samples contained what is known as methyl methacrylate and fatty acid ester which were contaminated substances resulted from the cleanup of chemical spills," it said.
The DoE said this had caused problems for residents living in Taman Perindustrian Senawang, Taman D'Latania, D'vena Residence, Taman D'Belsa and the surrounding areas.
It said there would be no compromise with anyone responsible for polluting the environment and urged the public to report any such activity.
The public can call 1-800-88-2727 or email to aduan_k@doe.gov.my
