Negri cops: Waste dumped at Nilai industrial site came from another state

NILAI: Preliminary police investigations have revealed that the waste dumped along a river at an industrial area here was brought in from another state.

State deputy police chief SAC Che Zakaria Othman said his officers were already on the trail of the culprits behind the incident, which resulted in the closure of the Sungai Semenyih and Bukit Tampoi water treatment plants on Sunday (Oct 4).

"We hope to arrest those responsible anytime now.

"My officers are already in the state concerned and they are quite positive about it," he said when met at the spot where the waste was dumped.

The case is being probed under section 430 of the Penal Code, he added.

The legislation stipulates that anyone who commits a mischief which affects the supply of water or food for humans can be jailed between five and 30 years or fined or both upon conviction.

State environment, health, cooperatives and consumerism committee chairman S. Veerapan was also present to monitor clean-up works being carried out in the area.

He said the authorities were waiting for results from the Chemistry Department to establish the type of waste dumped.

"The waste was in a liquid and semi-solid form and was dumped along the banks of Sg Batang Benar which flows into Sg Semenyih.

"If the weather permits, we hope to finish the cleanup exercise today," he said.

Veerapan appealed to the public to notify the authorities if they came across any dumping of waste-related activities.

"It is difficult to catch them red handed, as the culprits will pick secluded areas.

"We will also look at putting up CCTVs in certain areas in efforts to check such activities," he added.

As a result of the unscheduled water disruption, Air Selangor was unable to produce the 602 litres required daily to supply water to 309,867 account holders in 274 areas in Petaling, Hulu Langat, Kuala Langat and Sepang districts.