KANGAR: Selangor must come up with firm measures against industrial water polluters.
International Trade and Industry Minister and Senior Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said that when he was the Selangor Menteri Besar, the state had implemented a number of measures against such offenders.
He explained that local authorities had ordered the closure of several factories after they were found to be the source of pollution.
"I had closed down factories which were found to be operating illegally near rivers in the state.
"Not only were they closed down, the operators also faced severe legal action.
"In addition, I also ordered that an audit be conducted on factories which did not adhere to regulations, as well those operating illegally at river banks" he said.
Azmin said this after holding a discussion with Perlis Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man on the state's economic direction, here today.
Commenting further, Azmin suggested that factories operating on river banks must be relocated, and that their operations must first be approved by the Department of Environment (DoE).
"I think the Selangor government can continue with the action (which) it had undertaken previously, so that economic facilities and infrastructure development could be balanced with the problems faced by the people.
"This is because (action taken against factories) also affects the economy, apart from considerations on the safety of the people," he said.
The Sungai Selangor Water Treatment Plant Phase 1, 2 and 3 and the Rantau Panjang Water Treatment Plant restarted operations today, but full restoration of water supply will only be achieved by Sept 9.
Both water treatment plants were shut down on Thursday following industrial effluent pollution in Sungai Gong, a move which disrupted water supply to 1.2 million account holders in the Klang Valley.