GEORGE TOWN: Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has denied any knowledge of a Department of Environment (DoE) letter issued to a local council and Penanti assemblyman, following an investigation into the Sungai Lembu illegal carbon filter factory.
Lim, who was asked to respond to Penanti assemblyman Dr Norlela Ariffin's questions on why the letter was not released to the public, said: "I do not know what she is saying".
"What was revealed by (state Environment Committee chairman) Phee (Boon Poh) is about the illegal detainment by MACC.
"This (about the letter) you have to ask Phee," he told reporters at a press conference in his office in Komtar today.
Yesterday, Norlela questioned the state government on why it had left out other information on the Sungai Lembu illegal factory during its two press conferences over the matter.
In a Facebook posting, Norlela asked the state government why it did not show the DoE’s letter, signed by the director, which was issued after investigation on the factory, and sent to the Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) and her.
“Why did MPSP sent a notice, informing me that the factory would be demolished based on the letter by the DoE, even after the meeting.
“Why was the state DoE director not in the press conference today and yesterday to answer why the DoE had sealed up the factory, if it was not dangerous and polluting the environment?” she had asked.
Norlela's questions came in the wake of two press conferences by Lim and Phee on Monday and Tuesday.
During the two press conferences, Lim released a MPSP meeting minutes, dated May 6 2015, in an effort to show that the state government had taken actions against the illegal factory in Sungai Lembu.
Lim had said that the meeting minutes was disclosed to show that Phee had performed his duty as a state executive council member in-charge of the environment.
The minutes had revealed that the DoE had found no pollution at the factory, as it had barriers (tirai/penghadang), and prevented smoke and dust from escaping.
However, it also stated that DoE would only support the operations of the factory if it carried out the sawdust burning in an enclosed area using safety equipment.
Today, at a press conference in Komtar, Lim and Phee gave out the meeting minutes again, stressing on the DoE’s comments.
Norlela had said she was present in the meeting two years ago.
“Ask everyone in the meeting whether I had condoned or fought and objected to the state executive council (Phee)’s request to give a three-year extension to the illegal factory that has been operating for 10 years,” she said.
On Aug 10, MACC and several other agencies raided the factory after numerous complaints from nearby residents on the pollution caused by the smoke fumes emitted from the 31 open sawdust burning pits at the site.
The raid was followed by several other raids at the MPSP licensing department office as well as Phee's office in Komtar and service centre and two houses on mainland Penang.
Phee was also subsequently arrested by MACC along with the 70-year-old factory manager and his 37-year-old son, a director.
The Sg Puyu assemblyman, who was present in the press conference today, kept mum on the DoE letter, saying instead that the state government was now going directly to villagers to give an explanation.
"We met the village security and development committee members, including the chairman, secretary and treasurer, yesterday
"They were not told of the meeting minutes or of a district action committee meeting minutes. We showed it to them.
"I told them if they have any problems, they can come directly to me," he said.
At the coaching of Lim, Phee also added that this was so there would be no misunderstanding.
"If anything, it is best to contact directly, because if we go through mediator, the information will not reach the people," he added.