GEORGE TOWN – The Penang Sustainable Natural Heritage Association (Lekas) lodged a police report yesterday over pollution at Sg Kereh, along with recently obtained evidence.
Association chairman Zikrullah Ismail said the police report was lodged at the Kepala Batas police station and aimed to resolve over 40 years of pollution affecting Sg Kereh.
“All evidence from Lekas has been submitted and we were informed that this case will be investigated under Section 430 of the Penal Code for treason.”
This is the second police report under Section 430 of the Penal Code made in connection with the pollution of Sg Kereh.
Last December, The Vibes reported that state Agrotechnology, Food Safety, Rural Development and Health Committee chairman Dr Norlela Ariffin instructed the Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID) to lodge a police report regarding the pollution.
Zikrullah said Lekas will follow developments regarding this case closely, until the guilty party is brought to justice.
On February 4, Lekas with the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) and Sg Kereh Pollution Protest Action Body revealed that results from an independent laboratory had shown that pollution was from a pig farm in Kg Selamat, Tasek Gelugor.
The parameters tested were biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, ammoniacal nitrogen, total suspended solid, and E. coli – all of which recorded high readings in Sg Kereh.
He said samples taken at four locations of the river showed the water quality index at Class 4, or “very polluted”.
The evidence bolsters previous statements issued by the Sg Kereh Pollution Protest Action Body that the river’s pollution is caused by pig farming.
Last year, The Vibes reported that nearly 50 unlicensed pig farms in Kg Selamat are believed to have been operating for more than four decades.
The situation has resulted in over 1,000 residents, especially in neighbouring Kg Tok Bedu, suffering the stench emanating from Sg Kereh, which is polluted by effluents from these farms. – The Vibes February 18, 2021
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