Why velvet glove treatment for illegal factory?

GEORGE TOWN – The Juru factory sitting on agricultural land clearly shows a mistake that requires firm action, said Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) after authorities did not close it down following a raid on the premises on Monday.

SAM honorary secretary S. Mageswari said any industrial activities must be sited in a gazetted area.

“The Environmental Essentials for Siting of Industries in Malaysia (2017, Department of Environment) states that by virtue, under spatial planning policies in place, any industrial activities must be sited within industrial areas gazetted or identified by the spatial plans.

“It is important that in reviewing the application for rezoning and licensing, the authorities ensure compliance with the Seberang Prai Local Plan,” she told The Vibes.

What is worse, Mageswari said, the factory owner is reported to be running a food processing business and recycling goods on the same premises.

“It is clearly incompatible to place a recycling plant next to food processing.

“The immediate surroundings of a food processing industry is very important because a neighbouring facility may produce emissions that will impact your operations or contaminate the food that is being produced.”

She said the authorities, especially the Seberang Prai City Council and Land Office, must take stern action against the factory owner.

She added that shutting down illegal premises and penalising the owners are essential to deter other illegal operations.

Yesterday, The Vibes reported that Penang authorities did not close down the Juru factory during a raid, instead saying operators have applied to rezone the land it sits on.

Seberang Prai Mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud said a review by his team found that the factory in Jalan Kebun had applied to change the status of the land from agricultural to industrial.

Last week, The Vibes, acting on a public tip-off, surveyed the factory following claims that the pollution it causes has affected fishermen’s livelihood. – The Vibes, November 18, 2020