SHAH ALAM: Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azmin Ali has slammed the Department of Environment (DOE) over its supposed slowness in taking samples of the Sungai Semenyih contamination.
Azmin claimed that the department took the water samples 10 hours late.
He said that the Selangor Water Management Authority (Luas) had at 1am on Tuesday contacted the DOE after identifying the location where the emission was released.
“The DOE only appeared at the scene at 10am. Luas and Air Selangor took samples but these cannot be used as evidence in court because it is not under our jurisdiction. It falls under the responsibility and jurisdiction of DOE. How can DOE delay their action and only arrive at 10am?
"Whatever sampling that was taken after 10 hours, the credibility of the evidence has weakened for sure as the water has diluted the possible contamination. This may dampen our court action against the culprit. This is very irresponsible of DOE.
"I am giving the Selangor DOE a strict warning to act professionally and not be ‘yes men’ to political parties. This is for the safety of the people and consumers," said Azmin today.
Meanwhile, Azmin said the Sungai Semenyih water treatment plant resumed operations at 10pm last night.
He said the maximum recovery period for water supply to affected areas would be within 24 hours.
Azmin was speaking to reporters after receiving a courtesy call from Bandung mayor Mochamad Ridwan Kamil at the state secretariat building.