Ministry to take legal action against illegal factories - Wan Junaidi

The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry will soon be given the power to take legal action against illegal factories operating along river banks leading to pollution.

Its minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tunku Jaafar said the drastic decision was taken following the state government’s inaction in addressing river pollution.

He said a National Environment Council meeting will also be held on Oct 24 to obtain the approval from all parties involved.

“The state government should have relocated these illegal factories. They were supposed to take action on them, but they didn’t. As such I will take the necessary action under the existing laws.

“After a decision is made by the Environment Council, the minister will be given the authority to check on these premises and the Department of Environment will then use that authority to shut down these illegal factories,” he said when met by reporters at Parliament today.

Wan Junaidi said he will also provide a list of all the factories operating along river banks that are likely to cause pollution.

He was commenting on the recent Sungai Semenyih river pollution issue that led to the closure of the Sungai Semenyih Water Treatment Plant and caused water disruptions to more than one million residents in Hulu Langat, Kuala Langat, Petaling and Sepang.