By Nadiah Zamlus
SHAH ALAM, Nov 5 — The Selangor government will not compromise with illegal factories that cause pollution in the state.
State Local Government, Public Transportation and New Village Development Committee chairman Ng Sze Han said such illegal factories are also not allowed to join the state’s Compliance and Enforcement Programme.
“Let me stress again that the state government will never and will not compromise with any factories which cause problems to the environment and health of the people.
“(Instead) we have closed nearly 200 illegal plastic factories with the help from the local councils. The factories have been sealed, closed, its water and electric supply cut.
“These factories are illegal, could not be helped and must be closed immediately,” he said during the winding-up session at the State Legislative Assembly sitting here yesterday.
Ng added that as many as 5,589 unlicenced factories are operating in the state with 869 located near rivers.
He explained that these factories are not categorised as illegal as it has a temporary business licence but have yet to fulfil the technical requirements such as land status, zoning or planning approval.
“Not all of these factories cause pollution. As a responsible government, we should not take the easy way of solving problems by banishing and demolishing the factories. That is not the way.
“This is because it involves social problems such as the source of income for thousands of households. The state government must take a cautious approach.
“We do not want to create problems by having thousands losing their jobs simply because the factories have to shut down,” he said.
