By Yasmin Ramlan
SHAH ALAM, Mar 1 — A total of RM700,000 in compounds were issued to offenders of water pollution in Selangor from 2021 to 2023, as the state government steps up efforts to clamp down on the perennial issue.
State executive councillor for public health and environment Jamaliah Jamaluddin said this is significantly higher than the meagre RM10,000 in total compounds issued from 2017 to 2020.
She said while she agrees that perpetrators should also be charged in court for their crimes, the legal process is more time-consuming and is dependent on investigations conducted by the authorities.
“In recent years, the state government is more focused on (issuing) compounds, as it is easier and can be done expeditiously,” she said at the State Legislative Assembly today.
“I agree that some bigger cases should be brought to court, but we can’t just rely on that. Additionally, I don’t decide on the charges.”
Jamaliah was responding to a recommendation by Taman Medan assemblyman Dr Afif Bahardin that stricter actions should be taken against water polluters instead of just relying on compounds.
According to Jamaliah, the state is also now focusing on raising awareness, particularly among factory owners.
“I’ve been informed by the Selangor Water Management Authority (Luas), state Environment Department (DOE) and other relevant authorities that many factories and industries that are involved in environmental offences lack awareness on the issue.
“Therefore, our approach is to spread awareness regarding compliance and activities contributing to water and river pollution,” she said.
Meanwhile, Jamaliah said there has been a significant reduction in industrial pollution following an amendment to the law in 2020 to increase the penalty for offenders.
In November 2020, the State Legislative Assembly passed the Selangor Waters Management Authority (Amendment) 2020 Bill to raise the fine to a minimum of RM200,000 and up to RM1 million, impose a mandatory jail sentence, and require polluters to pay cleaning costs to Luas.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari previously clarified that the amendments to the enactment were to ensure that appropriate action could be taken to curb the problem of river pollution and protect the state’s water sources.
