BATU GAJAH: An illegal factory processing aluminium goods and scheduled waste in the Pengkalan Industrial Area near Pusing was raided on Wednesday (July 16), resulting in the seizure of 1,221.3 tonnes of metal worth approximately RM10mil, Sinar Harian reports.
The Malay language daily reported that the raid, which took place at around 7:30pm Wednesday, was led by the General Operations Force (GOF) in collaboration with the Perak Environment Department (DOE) and the Batu Gajah District Council.
Northern Brigade GOF deputy commander Asst Comm Shamsul Baharin Aman said that during the operation, a large amount of aluminium metal, as well as various machines and equipment believed to be used for illegal processing, were discovered.
"This premises was conducting aluminium processing activities without a valid licence or permit under the Environmental Quality Act 1974.
"In this raid, a 37-year-old local man, who claimed to be the factory manager, was arrested for further investigation," he told Sinar Harian at a press conference here on Thursday (July 17).
He added that in addition to the aluminium metal, various equipment, including a lorry, was seized, with the total value reaching RM11.81mil.
He noted that initial investigations revealed that the factory operator is believed to have been in operation for the past two years, with the assistance of 10 workers.
"Each processed aluminium metal product would be shipped overseas through appointed agents.
"The factory's estimated monthly profit is around RM20,000. We suspect there are elements of smuggling of raw materials brought in from abroad before being processed and re-exported," he said.
Meanwhile, the Perak DOE director Datuk Dr Mohammad Ezanni Mat Salleh said that one of the main materials processed included industrial waste categorised under code SW422, which is a mixture of metals and chemical solvents known as a form of scheduled waste that is prohibited from being processed without a valid licence.
"During the inspection, we observed burning with tyre pyrolysis oil, which is extremely serious when burned as it causes a noticeable odour if not properly controlled in the air," he said.
The case is being investigated under provisions of the Environmental Quality Act 1974; Section 6 of the Secondhand Dealers Act 1946 and the Trade, Business and Industrial By-Laws 2017.
