BUKIT MERTAJAM: Officers from the Department of Environment (DOE) visited the illegal carbon filter-processing factory in Sungai Lembu here to close it.
A six-man team from Kepala Batas arrived at about 12.15pm on Monday in two SUVs.
The officers took a tour of the factory, inspected the sawdust pits, and spoke to two workers.
Several contractors had earlier arrived to collect stocks of carbon but left when the officers showed up.
It is understood that the department visited the factory in order to close it down, however, this was not possible as the sawdust pits were still burning.
A fire engine was brought in at 1.25pm to extinguish the fire from the pits.
The illegal factory is at the heart of a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigation that saw state executive councillor Phee Boon Poh being arrested last Friday.
Also arrested were factory director Edmund Gan Eu Leong, 37, and his father Gan Buck Hee, 70, the factory manager.
On Monday, a remand order for the three was set aside by a George Town High Court.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
