KUALA LUMPUR: Putrajaya will consider establishing a centralised chemical disposal centre if existing premises are unable to accommodate the increasing load of chemical waste, says Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister said the need changes from time to time.
“Our existing premises would dispose waste based on the Scheduled Waste Code. Each premises has technology that has been approved by the Department of Environment (DOE),” he told the Dewan Rakyat.
He was responding to a supplementary question by Muhammad Islahuddin Abas (PN-Mersing) on whether the government has plans to set up the centre in view of the recent odour pollution incident in Johor Baru, which came five years after the Sungai Kim Kim toxic pollution incident.
In September, several locations around Johor Baru reported strong chemical odour pollution. At least two hospitalisations were reported from the incident.
Acknowledging the growing threat from pollution, Nik Nazmi said the strengthening of the DOE has been given emphasis in the Budget 2025.
He said heftier penalties have also been imposed through amendments to the Environmental Quality (Amendment) Act 2024.
“When the fine is very high, we want to ensure that DOE has the incentive to act in the best way possible,” he said.
He said currently the compounds collected by DOE are channeled to the government’s consolidated fund.
“But we wish that some of these funds can be retained by the agencies such as what is done with the Inland Revenue Board and the Customs Department,” he said.
“This (funds) can be used to improve the agencies’ operations so that they become more effective.”
“Based on our discussions with the Finance Ministry, they seem to be open to the idea,” he said.
He said the recent case of the Selangor river polluter being imposed a RM10mil fine was the first time the quantum was issued as a penalty.
In August, a Chinese national was charged with dumping chemicals near a water treatment intake point in Rawang, Selangor, causing a major water disruption in the Klang Valley. The individual was imposed a RM10mil fine and mandatory prison sentence of up to five years.
