KEPALA BATAS: The Penang Department of Environment (DOE) inspected 229 industrial premises under Ops Gempur/Lembangan conducted from January to Dec 15 this year.
Its director, Badlishah Ahmad, said 215 on-site directives and 70 Notices of Direction were issued during the integrated operation, which involved cooperation with several government agencies.
"A total of 12 series of Ops Gempur/Lembangan were carried out by seven teams comprising 20 DOE enforcement officers.
"The operation focuses on industrial premises and scheduled waste facilities, particularly those located upstream of water intake points within major river basins such as Sungai Juru and Sungai Jawi,” he said in a statement today.
He said enforcement action also included one equipment operation detention and the opening of 44 investigation papers for compound offers involving offences under the Environmental Quality (Industrial Effluent) Regulations 2009, Environmental Quality (Sewage) Regulations 2009, Environmental Quality (Clean Air) Regulations 2014 and Environmental Quality (Scheduled Wastes) Regulations 2005.
Meanwhile, Badlishah said the department also conducted Ops Hazard/ Lusuh targeting unlicensed e-waste processing activities.
He said the operation involved cooperation from various enforcement agencies, namely the Royal Malaysia Police, the General Operations Force, the Immigration Department, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, the Seberang Perai City Council, and the Penang Island City Council.
"A total of 11 Ops Hazard/Lusuh operations were carried out, with 23 industrial premises inspected.
"Eight investigation papers were opened, with four cases already concluded in court involving total fines of RM180,000, while another four cases are still undergoing court proceedings,” he said.
Badlishah said the integrated operations were aimed at strengthening industry compliance with environmental laws and safeguarding environmental sustainability. - Bernama
