By Zareef Muzammil
SHAH ALAM, Dec 29 — Individuals found to have intentionally polluting the state’s raw water sources shall be punished with life imprisonment.
State executive councillor for environment Hee Loy Sian said the stringent act according to Section 124K of the Penal Code (Act 574) will be implemented regardless of the rank and status of the offender.
“I am reminding those who have any intention to pollute Sungai Selangor or Sungai Langat to think twice before acting.
“Now, we are using an Act that is quite strict and anyone who is found to be guilty will spend a lifetime in prison,” Hee said after presenting funds to Christian institutions here yesterday.
Meanwhile, Hee said that the two men involved in the Sungai Selangor pollution incidents between November 2 and 10 will be faced with the punishment concerned.
Further elaborating, the Kajang state assemblyman said the grave punishment is the first to be implemented in the country after obtaining the consent of the Attorney General.
“Prior to this, the Penal Code Section 430 had provided for a jail term of 30 years, or a fine, (or both) upon conviction, however, they were both charged according to Act 574 because police discovered elements of sabotage involved,” said Hee.
He also said that the second phase of the enforcement operations against illegal premises will be carried out across the state with the focus placed on poultry farms.
On November 23, two men, including a director of a company, became the first individuals to be tried in court for committing sabotage on water services in Selangor.
The duo were charged for intentionally causing harm to the water sources in Taman Velox, Rawang, between November 2 and 10 and are faced with the lifetime imprisonment sentence, if found to be guilty.
