BUTTERWORTH: The Penang Department of Environment (DoE) has fined a food processing factory here RM18,000 for discharging effluents into the Prai River.
Penang DoE director Sharifah Zakiah Syed Sahab said the department investigated the condition of the Prai River after receiving complaints about water pollution and dead fish.
"The department received information from the public claiming the Prai River is contaminated with white foam.
"Further investigation found that the discharge was due to the manufacturing process as well as laundry activities from one of the food-based factories in the Prai area," she said in a statement on Wednesday (Feb 17).
The department has directed the factory to cease all effluent emissions into the river immediately.
"A compound has been issued to the factory under the Environmental Quality (Industrial Effluent) Regulations 2009.
"We have also issued a Notice of Instruction under Sections 31 and 37 of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 so that the factory takes control measures to prevent untreated effluent from being discharged into the Prai River before it is allowed to operate again.
"We will continue to patrol and monitor the area," she added.
Sharifah Zakiah expressed her appreciation to the public for reporting pollution cases.
Any complaints can be made directly to the DoE toll-free line at 1-800-88-2727 or sent by e-mail to aduan_k@doe.gov.my and through the department's e-complaint portal at https://eaduan.doe.gov.my.
