Unappetising stench invades food court

BUTTERWORTH: Traders and customers at a food court near the Prai Industrial Zone in Juru have become victims of foul smelling air permeating the area in the past few months.

The traders claim that the stench is being emitted from a factory behind the eatery and fear that it may be hazardous to health.

Zakaria Salleh, 46, alleged the air pollution began four months ago when the factory, which was previously an electronic component manufacturing plant, was taken over by new management.

“We have had to inhale the foul odour every day and the situation gets worse when it rains,” he said.

Zakaria said he had lodged a report with the Department of Environment (DOE) through its website on Nov 21 but was later directed to refer the case to the state DOE.

“So far no follow up or feedback has been received from the department,” he said.

He also claimed that the smell affects over a thousand customers who visit the food court for lunch on weekdays.

Another trader, Erawati Zakaria, 41, said the stench was affecting their health.

“The smell is so bad, every time I inhale it, I would have breathing difficulties,” she said.

When contacted, a state DOE spokesman said it has received the complaints and has issued a notice to the plant owner.