Jamaliah: People need time to understand the policy.
THE Zero Discharge Policy (ZDP) in Selangor is expected to be fully enforced from January, says state public health and environment committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin.
She said Selangor Water Management Board (Luas) had been actively going to the ground to spread awareness.
“I have received feedback from Luas that many are walking in or calling to ask about ZDP.
“People need time to understand the policy,” she said when met at the 4th Bandar Utama Badminton Cup at Sports Heroes Indoor Entertainment Park in Petaling Jaya.
Jamaliah added that Luas targeted having 15% to 30% businesses registered for the zero discharge licence this year.
These businesses would be required to pay a fee based on their discharge levels, she said.
In a StarMetro Oct 4 article titled “Only 215 have registered for zero discharge licence”, it was reported that some 30,000 businesses from 13 sectors were required to register for the ZDP licence.
Among sectors covered by the policy are aquaculture, development or land work, poultry, animal farms, industrial vehicle cleaning, sand mining, slaughterhouses, industrial, recreational activity, sewer management, solid waste management and water services.
ZDP, which was implemented in June, is aimed at compelling industries to recycle their effluents instead of dumping the waste into drains, rivers and water sources.
It falls under Enactment Luas 1999 (Discharge of Return Water and Entry or Discharge of Waste and Pollutants (Selangor) Licensing Regulations).
Those who do not register face fines of up to RM50,000 or not more than two years’ jail.
On a separate matter, Jamaliah said the state government had begun a few pilot projects in collaboration with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to prepare for more ageing care initiatives next year.
“So far, the state government has accepted and funded around 10 to 15 proposals submitted by these NGOs.
"They are required to revert with their implementation details.
“We are also looking at the possibility of increasing the number of elderly care homes in Selangor to accommodate senior citizens.”
She added that the state government was studying ageing care guidelines released by the Health Ministry before coming up with its own version that would not contradict federal guidelines.
On e-waste collection, Jamaliah said the results of the state government’s e-waste doorstep pick-up service would be announced next year.
