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PORT DICKSONCleanup of an oil slick that washed ashore at Pantai Cermin will begin today on a large scale and work is expected to take at least a week to complete.
Sources from the Negri Sembilan Department of the Environment (DOE) said the source of the contamination has yet to be determined, although it is suspected of coming from a passing ship.
It is known that the DOE is expected to conduct an assessment to determine if the oil spill had caused any harm to marine life in the affected area.
The DOE also collected samples from the spill for testing.
The Malaysian Maritime Control Agency reported that it had conducted patrols in the area, but did not detect any vessels responsible for dumping petroleum products into the sea.
Strong fumes from the oil slick that stretches for 2 km between Tanjung Tuan and Teluk Kemang caught the attention of passersby early Monday before authorities were alerted.
The fine for polluting the environment will be increased 20 times to RM10 million under an amendment to the 1974 Environmental Quality Act, said Environment and Water Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, after visiting the spill site. of oil yesterday
The amendment is expected to be debated in the Dewan Rakyat next month. The current maximum fine for the same offense is RM500,000.
“The jail term will also be extended under the proposed amendment,” Tuan Ibrahim said, adding that the case is being investigated under Section 27 of the Environmental Quality Act.
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