Palm oil mill fined RM50,000 for discharging effluent

KOTA KINABALU: A palm oil company was yesterday slapped with RM50,000 fine by the Sessions Court here for two charges of violating the Environmental Quality Act 1974.

Judge Ainul Shahrin Mohamed imposed the fine on Borneo Palm Oil Mill Sdn Bhd, after its representative admitted to the charges framed under Section Section 16 (1) Environmental Quality Act 1974 and punishable under Section 16(2) of the same Act.

The indictment carries a maximum fine of RM25,000 or a jail term of up to two years or to both, upon conviction.

On the first charge, Ainul fined the company RM25,000 for discharging eff luent at a final discharge point, containing parameter of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) of 97 mg/l which exceeded the standard limit of 20mg/l.

For the second charge, the judge imposed another RM25,000 fine on the company for discharging effluent at a final discharge point, whereby the effluent containing concentration of suspended solids (SS) of 739 mg/1, exceeding the quality standard limit of 200 mg/1.

The offence was committed at Beaufort Palm Oil Mill Sdn Bhd, KM8, Jalan Beaufort - Sipitang in Beaufort at about 10.55am - 2.15pm on February 10, 2015.

Prosecuting officer from the Environmental Department, Hashim Awang prosecuted.