SEREMBAN: The authorities have seized 115 tonnes of refined plastic powder, believed to have been processed from electronic waste, from a factory in Senawang, says state CPO Deputy Comm Datuk Alzafny Ahmad.
He said the police and the Environment Department carried out an operation on Feb 16 following public complaints and seized the processed material, also known as halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (HPAH), worth some RM577,000.
"We also seized four machines worth some RM1.2mil during the operation and detained 12 foreign workers in their 20s and 50s, who were unable to produce valid travel documents," he said.
"We have since called the 65-year-old owner of the factory, who was not there at the time, for questioning," he told reporters at the state police contingent headquarters on Thursday (Feb 17).
Also present was the State Environment Department director, Abdul Aziz Parmin.
He said the joint operation was conducted after residents in the area complained of an odour that they believed came from the processing activities.
DCP Alzafny said investigations revealed that the department had ordered the factory to cease operations after it was found to have contravened several regulations last October, but it had refused to comply.
This time around, the owner, he said, has committed an offence under the Environmental Quality Regulations (Clean Air) 2014 for operating illegally, as well as the Environmental Quality (Industrial Effluent) Regulations 2009 for processing plastic waste without a proper treatment system in place.
Both offences carry a fine of up to RM100,000 and imprisonment, or both, upon conviction.
The owner will also be investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63 for illegally hiring and harbouring foreign workers.
DCP Alzafny said the department had also ordered the premises to shut down operations immediately, as provided for under Section 38(1)(a) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974, for failing to comply with permit conditions.
