SHAH ALAM, July 24 — The Department of Environment (DOE) has detained two individuals and fined a factory heavily for odour pollution, which leaked into several rivers and resulted in the suspension of operations of four water treatment plants (WTP) yesterday.
Its director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar said the incident is being investigated under Section 25 of the Environmental Quality (Amendment) Act 2023.
“The Act provides for mandatory imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of up to RM10 million if (the accused are) found guilty of river pollution,” he said in a statement today.
Abdul Latiff added that the factory in question processed acrylic materials in the Jalan Kampung Orang Asli industrial area of Kuang, Rawang.
“The inspection revealed that the odour pollution’s source was a chemical leak known as poly(methacrylic acid) or PMAA from a storage tank, which is the liquid product produced by the premises.
“The spill eventually overflowed into the drains of the adjacent premise, then into the main road drain, and subsequently into Sungai Kuang.
“The flow of Sungai Kuang enters Sungai Kundang, then into Sungai Sembah, and finally into Sungai Selangor. The chemical leak resulted in the release of a strong and pungent odour due to PMAA’s characteristics,” he said.
The DOE immediately instructed the factory’s operator to conduct cleaning works within the premises, the affected drains, and tributaries. A contractor licensed by the department completed the work yesterday evening.
“Three evidence samples were also taken and submitted to the Department of Chemistry Malaysia for composition determination and matching tests.
“Additionally, the premises’ operational area and processing equipment were sealed by the DOE through the issuance of an Operational Equipment Detention Notice under Section 38(1)(a) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974, until the investigation is completed,” Abdul Latiff said.
He reiterated the DOE’s commitment to addressing any pollution-related issues and urged the public to report any environmental pollution activities to the toll-free line 1-800-88-2727, which operates 24 hours a day, or via email at [email protected] through the DOE e-complaint portal.
The odour pollution resulted in the temporary suspension of the Rantau Panjang WTP and the Sungai Selangor Phases 1, 2, and 3 WTPs, as well as disrupting the water supply to seven regions in the Klang Valley.
The areas affected include Petaling, Klang, Shah Alam, Gombak, Kuala Lumpur, Hulu Selangor, and Kuala Selangor.
As of 6pm today, Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd said the water supply recovery in the affected areas has reached 46.9 per cent.
