Stiffer penalties for polluters

STIFFER penalties await environmental polluters once the Environmental Quality Act 1974 is amended, says Deputy Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis.

“Yes, we are proposing to amend the Act.

“We are looking at ways to make it more comprehensive and with stricter enforcement to reduce environmental pollution,” she said when responding to a supplementary question raised by Larry Sng Wei Shien (PH-Julau) in Dewan Rakyat.

Sng had asked if there were plans to amend Section 34B of the Act which presently carries a maximum jail sentence of five years and a maximum fine of RM500,000 upon conviction.

Isnaraissah Munirah also told the Dewan Rakyat that the toxic waste collected from Sungai Kim Kim in Pasir Gudang would not be transferred to Negri Sembilan.

She said the government would ensure no other place experienced the Pasir Gudang incident.

“We are already facing the incident in Pasir Gudang and have no intention to transfer it to Negri Sembilan,” she said, replying to Cha Kee Chin’s (PH-Rasah) concern over Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian’s statement that toxic waste cleared from Sungai Kim Kim would be transferred to Negri Sembilan.

“If Johor does not want the toxic waste, Negri Sembilan does not want it either.

“I have asked the ministry to clarify if the statement by the Johor MB is true.

“If it is true, it would be unfair to Negri Sembilan as we do not want to become victims,” Cha said.

Osman was reported on Sunday as saying that the incinerated remains of the toxic waste would be sent to the Kualiti Alam Hazardous Waste Management Facility in Bukit Pelanduk, Seremban.