Palm oil mill ordered to shut over river pollution

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) has ordered the palm oil mill in Ulu Keratong in Bandar Tun Razak, Pahang, which caused pollution of a river to halt its operations immediately, its directorgeneral Dr Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir said yesterday.

He said the order to stop operations was issued in accordance with the notice of instruction under Section 31 of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 by the Department of Environment (DOE) Rompin branch.

“The palm oil mill was instructed to stop its operations immediately until the notice of instruction is withdrawn by the Department of Environment,” he said in a statement.

Media reports last Friday said the DOE had acted against the palm oil mill after an inspection by the DOE and Pengurusan Air Pahang Bhd found that it was the source of pollution in Sungai Pukin.

According to the report, the embankment of one of the mill’s effluent treatment ponds collapsed, causing the waste to flow into the riverbed.

Ahmad Parveez said failure to comply with the order could result in the company’s licence getting suspended, revoked or not renewed under Regulation 15(1) of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (Licensing) Regulations 2005.

“MPOB urges palm oil mills to comply with regulations of MPOB and the Department of Environment on environmental protection at all times, especially during the implementation of the movement control order.”

He said MPOB has been working with DOE to curb environmental pollution, including river pollution by palm oil milling activities.

MPOB constantly monitors and conducts regular inspections on palm oil mills to ensure compliance with the effluent treatment system and the set emission limits.