Multinational firm fined for industrial effluent breach in Kulim
KULIM: A multinational company operating in the Kulim Industrial Area was fined RM33,000 by the Sessions Court here today for failing to comply with industrial effluent discharge standards.
Sessions Court Judge Mirza Mohamad imposed the fine after the company's director, who appeared in court as the representative of the accused, pleaded guilty to the charge.
Kedah Department of Environment (DoE) director Sharifah Zakiah Syed Sahab said the offence was uncovered during an inspection on Dec 30 last year.
She said checks showed that the company's effluent discharge had breached two parameters set under the Environmental Quality (Industrial Effluent) Regulations 2009.
She added that the company was charged under Regulations 11(1)(b) and 12(b) of the Environmental Quality (Industrial Effluent) Regulations 2009, under the Environmental Quality Act 1974.
The offence carries a maximum penalty of RM100,000, five years' imprisonment, or both.
In pleading for leniency, the company's director informed the court that efforts were underway to upgrade the plant's effluent treatment facilities to prevent future violations.
However, the DoE prosecuting officer urged the court to impose a sentence that reflected the seriousness of the offence and served as a deterrent to other industry players.
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