SEREMBAN: Some 115 tonnes of refined plastic powder, believed to have been processed from electronic waste at a factory in Senawang, have been seized, says Negri Sembilan police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Alzafny Ahmad.
He said the police and the Environment Department (DOE) carried out an operation on Feb 16, following public complaints.
The processed material, also known as halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (HPAH), worth RM577,000, was seized.
“We also seized four machines worth some RM1.2mil and detained 12 foreign workers aged between their 20s and 50s who were unable to produce valid travel documents.
“We have since called the 65-year-old owner of the factory for questioning,” he told a press conference. Also present was state DOE director Abdul Aziz Parmin.
DCP Alzafny said the joint operation was conducted after residents in the area had complained of an odour which they believed came from the processing activities.
Investigations revealed that the DOE had ordered the factory to cease operations after it was found to have contravened several regulations last October, but the factory had refused to obey the order, he added.
This time around, the owner, he said, committed an offence for operating illegally and also for processing plastic waste without a proper treatment system in place.
Both offences provide a fine of up to RM100,000 and imprisonment or both upon conviction.
The owner would also be investigated under the Immigration Act for illegally hiring and harbouring foreign workers.
DCP Alzafny said the DOE had also ordered the premises to shut down operations immediately as provided under Section 38(1)(a) of the Environment Quality Act 1974 for not complying with the permit conditions.
