NIBONG TEBAL: Complaints from residents about plastic pollution at Bukit Panchor Industrial Area prompted a special operation on Saturday night (Oct 12).
Local government committee chairman H'ng Mooi Lye stated the operation was led by the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) in partnership with the Jawi Village Community Management Council (MPKK).
He said, "The operation followed complaints from nearby residents about a strong plastic odour believed to be emitted from the factories, which has been a concern since May."
"Following these complaints, we asked MBSP and the state Environment Department to investigate and identify the pollution source," he continued in a statement on Sunday (Oct 13).
The Jawi assemblyman noted that, after thorough investigations and monitoring, the Environment Department suspended three factories in September for emitting the smell of burning plastic.
However, he mentioned that complaints continued even after the factories were asked to suspend their operations.
H'ng requested a special operation to be conducted on these three factories in response to ongoing complaints.
"During the investigation, two factories were found operating at 10.30pm despite their suspension, while the other was not in operation," he said.
Further investigation revealed that one factory, in violation of its suspension, held a business licence from MBSP, while the other operated without a licence.
The factory with a valid licence received a strict verbal warning and was advised to cease operations immediately.
For the unlicensed factory, along with the verbal warning and immediate operation cessation, two fines were issued: one for conducting business without a licence and another for displaying an unlicensed advertisement.
H'ng said MBSP will submit an investigation report to the state Environment Department for further action.
MBSP will revoke the business license of any factory that fails to comply with conditions.
H'ng stressed that the state government will not tolerate illegal factories or those causing disturbances and endangering the local community.
