Local council ‘powerless’ to stop unlicensed Juru factories

BUKIT MERTAJAM – The Seberang Prai City Council (MBSP) is aware of the existence of several unlicensed factories on agricultural land in Jalan Kebun Baru in Juru here, but said it is powerless to shut them down.

Mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud said several parties have trespassed on the area over the past 10 years due to its location near the Penang Science Park.

On the action taken against companies operating the illegal factories, he said the council has conducted several raids and issued compounds.

“We often monitor them, but we do not have the power to close down the factories. It is under the jurisdiction of the Land and District Office,” he said recently.

The Penang Science Park is an industrial area for high-tech design and manufacturing plants, including small and medium firms, and is about 10km from Jalan Kebun Baru.

On Friday, The Vibes revealed that more than 10 unlicensed factories are believed to be operating on agricultural land there.

It was found that a few hectares have become an “industrial zone”, despite the land being classified as a “conservation, preservation and agriculture area” under the Penang Structure Plan 2030.

Rozali said it is possible for most of the factories to be legalised as a short-term solution.

“The factory operators can also apply for rezoning from agricultural to industrial use.”

MBSP has also introduced a scheme to issue term-based licences to assist operators, he added.

As a long-term solution, Rozali said the council plans to rezone the Jalan Kebun Baru vicinity as an industrial area within the next few years.

Meanwhile, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state government is aware of the rezoning applications.

“This area has many applications for rezoning, and action for industrial zoning comes under MBSP.”

Last week, The Vibes reported that a factory there is believed to be dumping waste into Sg Jawi, causing river pollution and affecting the livelihood of local fishermen.

This led to a raid by MBSP, police and the state Environment Department.

However, the factory itself was not forced to shut as the operator has applied to rezone the land on which the facility sits. – The Vibes, November 23, 2020