DOE monitoring illegal chemical dumping

JOHOR BARU: An unlicensed fertiliser processing centre located in an oil palm estate in Pontian, which was implicated in a recent case of illegally dumping chemical waste, had been operating for 10 years, said Johor state Health, Environment, Education and Information Committee chairman Datuk Ayub Rahmat.

The centre came under the spotlight after hundreds of intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) containing liquid chemicals were found at a fiveacre site in an oil palm estate in Parit Sikom on Monday.

He said the Johor Department of Environment (DOE) revealed that each IBC had a capacity of 200 litres. The liquid contains acid, peat soil and other chemicals. All these materials need to be put out in the sun for about seven to eight months for processing of liquid fertilisers,” Ayub said.

“The storage is part of the process. However, it was not properly done.”

He said Johor DOE is in the process of issuing a stop-work order to the operator.

Farmers and villagers have expressed concern the activity may affect the trees and other plants in the area.

Ayub said as the processing centre is located on agriculture land, the operator has committed an offence.

“Manufacturing fertiliser is classified as heavy industry, so these IBCs should be in an industrial area,” he added.

He said the DOE is monitoring the situation.

It is learnt that a few villagers had moved out from the village due to the bad smell which they claim was coming from the processing centre. – Low Sock Ken