BUTTERWORTH: A factory in the Prai area here has been slapped with four compound notices for allegedly discharging effluents and failing to maintain its pollution control equipment.
The premises was ordered to close by the Penang Department of Environment (DoE) and will only be allowed to resume operations after satisfactory repairs have been made.
State DoE director Sharifah Zakiah Syed Sahab said it acted on public complaints about a coloured discharge from the factory.
“The factory had obtained approval from the International Trade and Industry Ministry to operate.
“The enforcement team seized equipment under Section 38 (1) (a) of the Quality Environmental Act 1974 for further investigation.
BUTTERWORTH: The Penang Department of Environment (DoE) has fined a food processing factory here RM18,000 for discharging effluents into the Prai River.
Penang DoE director Sharifah Zakiah Syed Sahab said the department investigated the condition of the Prai River after receiving complaints about water pollution and dead fish. The department received information from the public claiming the Prai River is contaminated with white foam. Further investigation found that the discharge was due to the manufacturing process as well as laundry activities from one of the food-based factories in the Prai area, she said in a statement on Wednesday (Feb 17).
The department has directed the factory to cease all effluent emissions into the river immediately.