GEORGE TOWN: The state government today revealed the meeting minutes from two years ago, to show that it had taken actions against the illegal carbon filter factory in Sungai Lembu.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the minutes from the Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP), dated May 6, 2015, was also declassified to show that state Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh had performed his duty as a state executive council member.
"This meeting minutes showed that Phee had done his job and dealt with the environmental aspect of the Sungai Lembu illegal factory.
"This also answers questions on how Phee carried out his duties," he said at his office here today.
This was after a subdued looking Phee read out the two year old meeting minutes on the steps taken to resolve the Sg Lembu factory issue.
The meeting minutes also revealed that MPSP, Penanti assemblyman Dr Norlela Ariffin, Sungai Lembu village development and security committee members and the district land officers had visited the factory on Feb 18, 2015.
The visit revealed that the factory was operating without a planning permission, building plans or a business licence.
MPSP had then issued a notice, ordering the factory to stop its operation, it also issued a compound, on Feb 25 of the same year.
“A demolishment order was also issued against the factory but it was delayed.” the minute read.
The minutes also stated that the factory applied for a licence to operate an “activated carbon charcoal” on March 25 of the same year.
However, it was rejected as the council’s building department did not support the application as the factory building was deemed illegal.
Minutes also revealed that Phee had informed at the meeting that the factory used to have a licence while it was operating in Alma, but that the licence was cancelled when they were ordered to move.
"The factory was 500 meters away and far from the village.
"There needs to be a detailed investigation if the factory's operation was polluting the environment.
"There also needs to be a detailed investigation into the claims of the villages on the diseases they suffered because of the factory," Phee had said during then meeting.
Phee also asked the factory to be placed under the “legalisation process” (pemutihan) so as to ensure it meets safety and environmental standards set.
The Department of Environment (DoE) had said there was no pollution at the factory during the visit as it had barriers, which prevented smoke and dust from escaping.
“The DoE can support the running of this factory if the sawdust burning can be done in an enclosed enclosure with the right safety measures being employed.
“The factory owner must also get a licence from MPSP and the DoE and ensure the right processes are followed and the suitability of the factory site also met the necessary conditions,” a DoE representative had said in that meeting.
MACC and several other agencies raided the factory after numerous complaints from nearby villagers on the pollution caused by the smoke emitted from the 31 open sawdust burning pits at the site.
This was followed be several other raids at MPSP's licensing department office as well as Phee's office in Komtar and the state assemblyman’s service centre and two houses on mainland Penang.
The Sg Puyu assemblyman was subsequently arrested by MACC along with the factory's 70-year-old manager and his 37-year-old son, a director. All three have since been released.
At today’s press conference, Phee said under DoE's regulations, heavy industries factories must be at least 500 metres away from a residential area.
“The factory has been operating for the past 15 years, at about 1km away from the kampung,” he stressed.
When asked if the company had applied for licence following the new instructions, Phee said the company applied to convert the agricultural to land to an Industrial land status but it was rejected.
The factory’s building plans were also rejected due to the agricultural land status.
Asked when was this application made, Phee and Lim appeared to fumble for an answer. One of them said it was two years ago, while the other said it was last year.
When pressed further, Lim said he was not sure as it was not under his portfolio.
Questioned further on the actions taken by the state government and council after the 2015 meeting, Lim interjected and told members of the press to "digest this first". This, while Phee quietly slipped away from the press conference, leaving more unanswered questions than answers on the matter.