By Nadiah Zamlus
HULU LANGAT, Feb 14 — The state government is extracting the polluted water from the ponds of an illegal factory at Jalan Sungai Lalang, here, to prevent operational suspension to nearby water treatment plants (WTPs).
State executive councillor for environment Hee Loy Sian said the measure was carried out immediately by the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) due to the close proximity of Sungai Semenyih to the site at 2.3 kilometre (km) in distance and 22 km to the surface intake of Jenderam Hilir.
Hee said MPKj detected black water spillage at the Taman Semenyih Permata drain on Thursday and based on earlier investigations, the spillage was traced to the illegal iron-steel processing factory.
“As a result, we have sealed the factory and the owner of the premises will face a fine of not more than RM50,000 or be jailed not exceeding a year, or both.
“In line with Section 79 of the Selangor Water Management Authority (Luas) (Amendment) Enactment 2020, water polluters can be charged and face a prison sentence of not more than three years and be fined a minimum of RM200,000 and not exceeding RM1 million,” he said during a press conference today.
Earlier, Hee was accompanied by Luas acting director-cum-principal assistant director (River Basin and Coastal Management Division) Haslina Amer to visit the illegal factory at Jalan Sungai Lalang.
Also present were personnel from MPKj, National Water Services Commission (SPAN) and the Environment Department (DOE).
Elaborating further, Hee said investigations at the site also revealed that the smelted iron wastes produced there had also resulted in the formation of black carbon soot which were disposed of into the ponds nearby.
“As of now, samples from the affected ponds have been sent to the Chemistry Department for testing, and after the results are known, we will decide on the appropriate method to eliminate the waste from the ponds.
“We urge the public to report any suspicious activities that could potentially lead to the pollution of water sources so that such incidents can be prevented,” said Hee.
Yesterday, media reports alleged that some irresponsible parties had turned the forest area at Jalan Sungai Lalang near the Hi-Tech 6 Industrial Park in Semenyih into a tin-processing site.
However, their activities were soon discovered after MPKj detected traces of pollution in a drain close to a residential area there.
Immediate actions taken by the enforcement bodies managed to prevent suspension to the WTPs which could potentially cause water supply disruption to consumers.
