KOTA KINABALU: A two-week operation against environmental offences dubbed Ops Gempur is being conducted around the state until Feb 23. State Environment Department director Amirul Aripin said the operation aims to ensure that businesses and factory operators, especially those near rivers, abide by regulations set by the department. He said some 40 officers are on standby in areas such as Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Tawau and Beaufort. They aim to check about 60 premises and factories, many of which have prior records of environmental offences. “This includes those with many complaints against them, those that are operating illegally, premises that let out pollutants, as well as those suspected of or known to be collecting water at sensitive river areas, ” Amirul said.