By Nadiah Zamlus
BANGI, Dec 24 — Selangor Menteri Besar calls for stern action to be taken against the culprits behind the odour pollution that resulted in the closure of the Sungai Semenyih and Bukit Tampoi water treatment plants.
Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said the existing laws can punish the perpetrators with a RM500,000 fine and imprisonment for five years upon conviction.
“We (the state government) want heftier penalties. In fact, the state government can take immediate action but the Federal government wants to stick with the existing laws. So, it takes a bit of time to conclude the probe,” he told reporters here yesterday.
Amirudin was speaking at a press conference after visiting Kolam Tasik Idaman here together with Selangor Environment, Green Technology, Science, and Consumer Affairs Executive Councillor Hee Loy Sian.
He added the process of identifying the source of the pollution and tracking down the perpetrators were carried out simultaneously.
He said authorities have detected the source of the pollution, which came from an Indah Water Konsortium manhole at Bandar Bukit Anggota in Bangi.
“The pollution is caused by solvent and black oil, which contaminated the river water and affected the water quality.
“The suspects could have left the country or went into hiding but it is our duty to track them down,” stressed Amirudin.
The closure of the water treatment plants cut water supplies to 1.5 million residents in Selangor since December 21.
