BY DATO’ SERI DR SANTHARA
The palm factory at the border of Jementah and kebun Baharu, Johore has caused polluted the air so much causing dissatisfaction among the local residents.
Local residents have to endure the stench particularly in the morning and after it rains, because the distance between the factory and their homes are only about 500 metres.
After a protest held last June 10, with Johore Pakatan Harapan, I was informed that Segamat Member of Parliament has instructed to close the factory immediately for one month.
I was made to understand that the factory’s management is prepared to hold a dialogue session soon. What I want is for the representatives to come from government leaders, opposition leaders, Municipal Council and Jementah community representatives.
There are more negative affects after the factory was built with pollution which can possibly become more serious and may harm the residents’ health.
It is possible that if there is no solution, the residents would have to endure the effect such as skin disease while the children often develop coughing and cold due to inhaling polluted air.
I urge the State Environmental Department (JAS) to investigate the complaints lodged by residents on the polluted drain water believed to be caused by the palm factory.
Isn’t farming and palm processing in this country are being tightly controlled by several governmental bodies where it is subjected to certain laws, regulations and acts?
I hope the factory’s management is not just concerned on profit alone, and that it can suspend its operation until a long-term solution can be reached and all the residents’ issues can be resolved.
# Dato’ Seri Dr Santhara is KEADILAN National Integration Bureau Chairman
BN approve palm factory, residents suffer from stench
