KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Negara has passed the Environmental Quality (Amendment) Bill 2023, which is to amend the Environmental Quality Act 1974.
The bill received the senate's majority support through a voice vote called by Senator Rita Sarimah Patrick Insol, who chaired the Senate's proceedings.
Seventeen senators took part in the debate after the bill was tabled for a second reading by Deputy Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii.
The bill involves amendments to 28 sections of the act, which include the enhancement of penalties with a minimum fine range of not less than RM5,000, a maximum fine not exceeding RM10 million, and mandatory imprisonment not exceeding five years.
Huang said the amendments to the act would boost enforcement, deter ongoing environmental pollution and criminal activities through higher penalties and fines, and empower swift measures against those who violate environmental laws.
"It (stricter measures, higher penalties and fines) should serve as a lesson for any irresponsible act, so that it will not be repeated in the future," he said in his winding-up speech.
The bill was tabled for the first reading in the Dewan Rakyat on Nov 16 last year.
It was then passed after the second and third reading in the lower house on March 25.