USED TYRE PROCESSING FACTORY SHUT DOWN
Factory allegedly responsible for Sungai Kim Kim pollution
THE used tyre processing factory, believed to be the source of toxic pollutants found in Sungai Kim Kim, has been sealed by the Department of Environment (DoE).
Johor DoE director Datuk Dr Mohammad Ezzani Mat Salleh said the factory was sealed by the department on March 11.
“The factory has since ceased operations.”
A check by the New Straits Times showed that the factory in the Tanjung Langsat Industrial Park, Pasir Gudang, was locked and nobody was seen inside.
It was reported that P Tech Resources Sdn Bhd and two of its directors, Yap Yoke Liang and Wang Jing Chao, were each charged at the Sessions Court with 15 offences under two environmental regulations.
Each faced eight charges under Regulation 16(1) of the Environmental Quality Regulations (Clean Air) 2014 and seven charges under Regulation 3(1) of the Environmental Quality Regulations (Scheduled Wastes) 2004. On Sunday, Yap and Wang, along with lorry driver N. Maridass, were charged at the same court with illegally disposing of scheduled substances into Sungai Kim Kim early this month.
Ezzani said the factory had been operating for a year but could not provide any information about its legal status.
“That is under the jurisdiction of the Pasir Gudang Municipal Council (MPPG).”
Attempts to contact MPPG proved futile.