SEBERANG PRAI – Penang authorities have not closed down a Juru factory believed to be polluting Sg Jawi, instead saying operators have submitted an application to rezone the land it sits on.
Seberang Prai Mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud told The Vibes that a review by his team found that the factory in Jalan Kebun has submitted an application to change the status of the land from agricultural to industrial.
The facility was closed when authorities carried out the raid yesterday.
“We did not shut down the plant, but we issued a compound and notice,” said Rozali, without stating the amount of the fine.
He said the factory, located on a 4ha plot, does not have a premises licence and is believed to be in operation since 2015.
“The factory was owned by an individual who runs two kinds of businesses – processing ‘fucuk’ (bean curd sheets) food items and recycled goods.
“For the rezoning, it may take up to three months to process.
“However, I have no information on the exact date of the rezoning application.”
Under the law, factories are not allowed to be built on land with agriculture status.
Meanwhile, Penang Environment Department (DoE) deputy director Abdul Aziz Parmin said boilers and washing equipment, suspected to be the cause of the river pollution, have been seized from the facility.
However, the state DoE was unable to collect water samples because the factory was closed and did not release any waste.
“We took samples of waste materials from the factory, to be sent to the Chemistry Department,” said Aziz.
“If the samples contain prohibited materials, we will take legal action.”
Last week, The Vibes, acting on a public tip-off, surveyed the factory following claims that the pollution it causes is affecting fishermen’s livelihood. – The Vibes, November 17, 2020
