Kulim dye factory fined RM20,000 for repeat pollution offence
KULIM: A dye processing company was fined RM20,000 by the Sessions Court here today for discharging industrial effluent above permitted limits from its factory.
Sessions Court Judge Mirza Mohamad imposed the penalty after the company's director, representing the firm, pleaded guilty to the charge.
Kedah Deparment of Environment (DoE) director Sharifah Zakiah Syed Sahab said investigations revealed that samples taken from the factory's Industrial Effluent Treatment System (IETS) discharge point exceeded legal pollution thresholds.
She said the violation was detected during a DoE inspection on Sept 26, 2024 at the Kulim Industrial Area.
The company was charged under Regulation 11(1)(b) of the Environmental Quality (Industrial Effluent) Regulations 2009, punishable by a maximum fine of RM100,000 or imprisonment of up to five years, or both.
In mitigation, the company's director appealed for a lighter sentence, citing that steps were underway to upgrade the factory's treatment system to prevent recurrence.
The director also told the court that the company had suffered financial losses in 2023 and 2024.
However, the DoE prosecuting officer urged the court to impose a heavier fine, noting that this was the company's second offence.
It had been fined RM10,000 by the same court on Oct 24, 2023, for a similar violation.
Tests showed the discharged effluents contained high organic pollution, which can severely affect water quality and aquatic life if left uncontrolled.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Marine cops seize smuggled cigarettes, liquor worth RM5mil in Sibu
SIBU: Sarawak Region 5 Marine Police Force (PPM) foiled an attempt to smuggle untaxed cigarettes and liquor worth RM5.05mil in an operation near Jalan KM16 Sibu-Bintulu on Sunday. Acting commander Supt Rusdin Banin said the seizure was made at 5.35pm through Ops Taring Landai, following a public tip-off. "A team from PPM Sibu detained a white-and-green cargo lorry parked on the roadside. An inspection found a load of cigarettes and liquor suspected to be untaxed and without valid documentation,' he said in a statement Tuesday (June 16). He said the lorry driver was arrested and the case was handed over to the Criminal Investigation Division of the Sibu District Police Headquarters for further action under the Customs Act 1967. Rusdin added that police welcome information from the public to combat smuggling activities. From January to June 15 this year, PPM Region 5 conducted 84 raids in Sarawak, resulting in 94 arrests for offences such as smuggling of untaxed goods, subsidised controlled items and wildlife, as well as illegal entry of foreign nationals. "Total value of seizures during the period was estimated at RM77.33mil,' he said. Under Section 135(1)(d) of the Customs Act 1967, individuals found in possession of, storing or concealing prohibited goods without approval face a fine of up to RM500,000, imprisonment of up to five years, or both, upon conviction. - Bernama
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
GOF seizes 6 tonnes of coconuts, 8.5 tonnes of rice in border ops
TUMPAT: The General Operations Force (GOF) foiled two separate smuggling attempts involving coconuts and rice worth nearly RM370,000 in operations here yesterday. Two lorry drivers were also arrested for possession of the smuggled goods. GOF Southeast Brigade commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abd Hamid said in the first incident, a patrol team spotted a suspicious lorry at an illegal jetty in Pengkalan Kubor around 4.30pm. "Upon inspection, they found about 6,000kg of mature coconuts loaded in the back of the vehicle. "The driver failed to produce valid documentation for the goods. "The total value of the seizure, including the lorry, was estimated at RM210,000," he said. The case is being investigated under Section 3(1)(a) of the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority Act 1965 (FAMA Act). In a separate operation at 12.30am, another GOF team stopped a lorry at Jalan Kampung Bendang Pak Yong in Simpangan. "The vehicle was found to be carrying 8,500kg of white rice suspected to have been smuggled in from Thailand. "The 23-year-old driver is believed to have been delivering the rice for sale in the local market," he said. The total value of the seizure, including the lorry, was estimated at RM159,000. The case is being investigated under Section 20 of the Control of the Padi and Rice Act 1994. Ros Azhan said both cases reflect the persistent smuggling activities along the Malaysia–Thailand border, particularly through ungazetted routes. "The GOF remains committed to intensifying operations such as Op Taring Wawasan Kelantan to curb the flow of contraband and safeguard the country's economic and agricultural interests," he said. He added that enforcement teams would continue to monitor hotspots along the border.
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
AirAsia launches new Kuala Lumpur–Palembang and Semarang routes
KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia Malaysia has launched two new direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Palembang and Semarang, bringing the total number of weekly flights between Malaysia and Indonesia to 188. In a statement, the carrier said the new routes bring its total Indonesian destinations to 15, making it one of the most connected foreign airlines in the country. The new routes come as Indonesia targets 16 million international arrivals in 2025, with Malaysia among its top source markets. Their launch also coincides with the reopening of Palembang and Semarang airports for international flights, making AirAsia the first international carrier to return to both cities. 'This launch reflects our ongoing efforts to serve more cities across Indonesia, especially those that have been underserved. We are proud to return to Palembang and Semarang, and we were among the first to reopen seats to both Palembang and Semarang, reaffirming our commitment to these key destinations, two vibrant cities that deserve a wider audience,' AirAsia Malaysia CEO Datuk Captain Fareh Mazputra said. 'Each new route opens up more opportunities for business, tourism and for people to reconnect. We are also proud to bring them closer to Kuala Lumpur and beyond with convenient, affordable flights. We thank the government and all stakeholders who have supported this milestone.' AirAsia is offering one-way promotional fares from Kuala Lumpur to Palembang from RM159 and from Palembang to Kuala Lumpur from IDR499,000, for travel between July 17, 2025, and March 28, 2026. Fares from Kuala Lumpur to Semarang start from RM199, and from Semarang to Kuala Lumpur from IDR799,000, for travel between September 5, 2025, and March 28, 2026.
