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KUALA LUMPUR: Unscheduled water cuts and river pollution have become the focus of attention in Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (November 3) after 14 MPs questioned the Ministry of Environment and Water on the issue.
The questions, which were raised during oral question time in parliament, had focused on whether action was taken against the companies that caused the pollution of the rivers and what plans the ministry has to avoid unscheduled water cuts.
The issue was raised by Datuk Seri Hasan Ariffin (BN-Rompin), Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz (PAS-Bachok), Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid (BN-Padang Terap), Datuk Hasbullah Osman (BN-Gerik), Datuk Fasiah Mohd Fakeh (PN-Sabak Bernam), Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang (PAS-Marang), Wan Hassan Mohd Ramli (PAS-Dungun) and Che Alias Hamid (PAS-Kemaman).
On the other hand, the Opposition MPs who raised the issue were William Leong (PH-Selayang), Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub (PH-Pulai), Maria Chin Abdullah (PH-Petaling Jaya), Fong Kui Lun (PH-Bukit Bintang ), Fuziah Salleh (PH-Kuantan) and Yeo Bee Yin (PH-Bakri).
According to the Minister of Environment and Water, Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, the Department of the Environment had carried out 17,445 inspections between January 1 and September 30 at facilities under the scope of the Environmental Qualities Act of 1974.
Tuan Ibrahim also said that 7,872 complaints about pollution were received and of that number, 1,280 are premises regulated by environmental pollution provisions, while the remaining 7,389 premises that produce scheduled waste are subject to Environmental Quality Regulations (Scheduled Waste).
Tuan Ibrahim said 1,159 legal actions have been taken at 636 facilities found not to be in compliance with laws regarding water pollution, involving 751 compounds, 380 notices and seven facilities had their operating licenses suspended.
Between January 1 and September 30, 61 locals were taken to court and fined RM1.49 thousand each (cumulatively RM6.07 thousand) for water contamination and scheduled waste management offenses, Tuan Ibrahim said.
He said that the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) conducted 560 investigations from January to September and conducted 17 site investigations on possible cases of contamination that caused disruptions in the water.
It also said that 24 investigative documents were opened under Section 60, 61 and 121 of the Water Services Industry Act.
“I wish to announce that those responsible have been identified and the police have held them for further investigations and they will be charged in court.”
Tuan Ibrahim also said that between January and September 30, legal action had been taken against 636 companies for water contamination, while 2,323 companies had been taken for disposing of improperly scheduled waste.
“On this, the DOE has cracked down on 7,042 facilities under the Environmental Quality Act.”
Tuan Ibrahim also said that the amendments to the Water Industry Law and the Environmental Quality Law are currently in the process of gaining Cabinet approval next month.
He said the proposed amendments are expected to be tabled in 2021, which will lead to stiffer penalties for crimes against the environment.
Among the proposals to strengthen the existing provision, Tuan Ibrahim said, was increasing the fines from RM 100,000 to RM 10,000 for water contamination under the Water Industry Act, while the prison term will be increased to 15 years from just one year.
Tuan Ibrahim also said that, among other amendments, it also included giving police officers the competence to carry out executions under the Water Industry Law and the Environmental Quality Law.
During September and October, millions of households in the Klang Valley had to endure water outages repeatedly due to river pollution.
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