By Mustakim Ramli
SHAH ALAM, March 17 — More than 200 illegal recycling plastic factories in Selangor were shut down under the legalisation programme by the state for the unauthorised factories from October 2019 to December last year.
State executive councillor for local government Ng Sze Han informed that the Selangor government’s stance is against plastic import activities for processing purposes.
However, he said there are about 100 factories that are allowed to do so in Selangor on a small scale.
“We do not close all plastic recycling factories because they are still needed for local materials. But we only allow recycling plants for local plastics instead of imported ones.
“Even though it is allowed, it must follow the strict conditions set by the Department of Environment (DOE),” he said in an interview at the Selangor State Secretariat building, here yesterday.
Ng explained that some factories are allowed to import plastics but in small amount and the company needs to have a valid Approved Permit (AP) and is not an agent of any party.
Meanwhile, commenting on the types of factories that were forced to cease operations because they were operating outside the industrial zone, Ng said it would depend on the activities carried out by the factories.
“For example, a wood factory near a residential area, of course, is not allowed and the factory involved would have to find another location to operate,” he said.
Ng also added that it is an offence for premises and factories to carry out activities in areas near the river.
“It is an encroachment because most of the riverbanks belong to the government except those who acquire grants,” he said.
