BUKIT MERTAJAM – A fleet operator that conducts its business with several major local petrochemical companies received a RM30,000 compound, yesterday, for dumping oil waste into Sg Kubang Semang, here.
State Environment Department director Sharifah Zakiah Syed Sahab said the department received numerous complaints from the public about oil waste pollution last Saturday, and results of the subsequent investigations revealed that the source of the pollution came from the fleet operator’s premises.
“Inspection at the premises revealed that the management had failed to maintain the oil trap and oil interceptor properly.
“This has led to oil pollution from the premises into the waters.
“The premise also failed to manage scheduled waste generated in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Quality (Scheduled Waste) Regulations 2005,” she said in a statement today.
Sharifah said the premises failed to provide a competent person to manage scheduled waste as required by Section 49A, Environmental Quality Act 1974.
She said further inspection also found that the monsoon drains in the premises were also contaminated with oil waste from oil interceptors, scheduled waste storage areas, and washing bays for heavy vehicles.
“Oil spill was also detected on the ground near the skid tank in the premises.
“Immediate instructions have been issued to the owners to stop the release of oil waste and to carry out clean-up work on oil spills that have entered Sg Kubang Semang immediately.
“The management of the premise are also instructed to conduct a study on contaminated soil and bear the full cost of the study and subsequent clean-up.”
Sharifah said the DoE takes pollution issues seriously and will take stern action against the management of the premise for any other offenses that may be detected during follow-up inspections.
She advised all petrochemical companies or other companies in the country that currently engage transporter services to conduct compliance audits on all fleet operator contractors who deal with their companies. – The Vibes, October 25, 2021
