JOHOR BARU: The Johor Environment Department (DOE) detained the general manager and production manager of an oleochemical factory in the Pasir Gudang Industrial Area to assist in investigations for allegedly releasing industrial effluents into public drains and polluting Sungai Tukang Batu.
Johor DOE director Dr Mohd Famey Yusoff said that the two local men, aged 44 and 38 years old, were detained at the factory at 5pm Thursday (March 20) before being taken to the Seri Alam district police Headquarters.
"The case is being investigated under the Environmental Quality Regulations (Industrial Effluents) 2009," he said in a statement.
He said the department had received public complaints regarding the discharge of white-coloured industrial effluents into public drains and subsequently into the river on March 18.
Mohd Famey said as a result, the Pasir Gudang DOE branch conducted an investigation and found that there were still releases of white-coloured and foaming industrial effluents the following day.
He added that they also received complaints regarding the discharge of blackish water at the same complaint location on Wednesday. - Bernama
