PUTRAJAYA, July 18 — The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has identified weaknesses in the enforcement actions taken by the Johor Department of Environment (DOE) regarding the operation of a recycling facility in the Segamat industrial area.
It said these shortcomings include ineffective penalties that fail to deter repeat offences, inconsistent enforcement guidelines across states and districts, and delays in implementing updated compound procedures.
To address these issues, the EAIC has proposed several improvements, like increasing penalties for repeat offences, standardising enforcement guidelines at all levels, and ensuring the immediate enforcement of the revised compound framework.
“The EAIC also recommends that the DOE take firmer action against premises that breach environmental regulations,” it said in a statement today.
The EAIC stressed the importance of strict enforcement in cases involving repeat violations to prevent leniency.
The findings followed a complaint alleging that the Johor DOE had failed to act against a recycling facility operating without a valid licence.
However, an investigation under Section 17 of the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission Act 2009 later confirmed that the premises involved held valid licences.
— Bernama
