Environmental Raid on Factories in Alor Setar and Sungai Petani
Operation Gempur: A Crackdown on Environmental Violations
The Kedah Department of Environment (DOE) has launched an operation codenamed Op Gempur, targeting eight factories in Alor Setar and Sungai Petani for violating the Environmental Quality Act 1974. The operation, which was conducted yesterday, aimed to ensure that industries comply with legal requirements and demonstrate the DOE’s commitment to enforcing environmental regulations.
Factories Raided and Fines Issued
The raids were conducted on electrical and electronic factories, as well as rubber and metal-based factories, following allegations of violating the Environmental Quality Act 1974. The act specifically relates to the management of scheduled wastes, which are defined as hazardous materials that require special handling and disposal.
During the operation, eight field orders, nine instruction notices, and seven compounds were issued to the factories for violating the Environmental Quality Act 1974. The notice orders were issued to the premises for improvements in scheduled waste storage areas, enhancing cleanliness/housekeeping, labelling, and updating the scheduled waste inventory.
DOE’s Commitment to Enforcing Environmental Regulations
According to Kedah DOE director Sharifah Zakiah Syed Sahab, the department is committed to ensuring that industries consistently comply with legal requirements and demonstrate its seriousness in enforcing the Environmental Quality Act 1974. She emphasized that the public can play a crucial role in reporting any environmental pollution activities to the DOE.
How to Report Environmental Pollution Activities
The public can report any environmental pollution activities via the toll-free line 1-800-88-2727, or by emailing aduan_k@doe.gov.my, and through the JAS e-complaint portal at https://eaduan.doe.gov.my. To ensure the effectiveness of the reporting process, the DOE has provided guidelines on the type of information that should be included, such as:
- Precise location details, including address and coordinates
- Photo or video evidence of the incident
- Vehicle registration numbers
- Individuals involved
Conclusion
The operation demonstrates the DOE’s commitment to enforcing environmental regulations and ensuring that industries comply with legal requirements. The public’s active involvement in reporting environmental pollution activities is crucial in supporting this effort. By working together, we can protect the environment and ensure a cleaner and healthier future for future generations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the purpose of Op Gempur?
A: Op Gempur is an operation launched by the Kedah Department of Environment (DOE) to crack down on environmental violations in Alor Setar and Sungai Petani.
Q: What type of factories were raided during the operation?
A: The raids were conducted on electrical and electronic factories, as well as rubber and metal-based factories.
Q: What were the factories fined for?
A: The factories were fined for violating the Environmental Quality Act 1974, specifically related to the management of scheduled wastes.
Q: How can the public report environmental pollution activities?
A: The public can report environmental pollution activities via the toll-free line 1-800-88-2727, or by emailing aduan_k@doe.gov.my, and through the JAS e-complaint portal at https://eaduan.doe.gov.my.