Clampdown on illegal factories

A drone shot of the illegal factory centre (with blue and white roof) showing its close proximity to the river.

THE Selangor Waters Management Authority (LUAS) will be checking on land along Sungai Semenyih in Selangor to determine if there are any more factories operating 40m from the riverbank.

A spokesman from LUAS said any commercial activity 40m from the riverbank must have written approval from the director.

He added that factories operating without approval and within 20m from the water’s edge will have their land seized, under the LUAS Enactment, 1999.

“Under this enactment, we have the right to seize illegal premises and tear it down,” he told StarMetro.

The illegal factory along Mile 22 1/4, Jalan Sungai Lalang, Semenyih, identified as the culprit behind the water disruptions in the Klang Valley over the last few weeks was said to have been masking as a building materials factory.

The factory with just wooden structures supporting zinc roofs was in fact recycling engine oil and repackaging them to be sold.

Contractors hired by Kualiti Alam wrapping up oil drums, seized during the raid at the illegal factory in Semenyih, in groups of four before loading them onto trucks. —Photos: LOW LAY PHON/ The Star

Second-hand car oil filter containers were also collected for sale.

As of 2pm, yesterday, works to clear oil drums and intermediate bulk containers filled with oil was carried out by contractors hired by Kualiti Alam Sdn Bhd.

The containers around the factory were grouped in four before they were loaded onto trucks.

The oil trail leading to Sungai Semenyih from the factory.

In total, there were more than 500 containers in the factory.

A contractor, on site, said that they would be digging a barrier less than 100m away from the water’s edge to contain the spillage and ensure it did not flow into the river when it rained.