NIBONG TEBAL: Two plastic factories in Bukit Panchor here have been ordered to stop operations immediately after they were found to be emitting a burnt plastic smell.
State Local Government Committee chairman H'ng Mooi Lye said a joint operation was carried out between the Seberang Prai City Council (MBSP) and Jawi state constituency Village Community Management Council (MPKK) around the Bukit Panchor industrial area yesterday.
He said he had received complaints on the smell of burnt plastic, which caused discomfort to the local residents since May.
"As such, the MBSP and the state Department of Environment (DoE) had been asked to investigate and carry out strict monitoring to identify the culprits.
"After conducting probes and monitoring, the state DoE had sealed off three factory premises which were suspected of emitting the burnt plastic smell last month.
"However, the complaints still kept coming in," he said in a statement on his Facebook page. (https://www.facebook.com/share/RBKi6MULBDSiLmXa/?mibextid=WC7FNe)
As such, H'ng said he asked that special action be taken against the three factories.
"During the investigation and monitoring, it was found that two factories were still operating at 10.30pm, despite being sealed off by the state DoE, while the other factory was not in operation.
"Of the two factories still operating during the investigation, one had a business licence from MBSP, while the other was operating without a licence.
"For the factory with a business licence, MBSP issued a strict verbal warning and advice to the factory, instructing it to cease operations immediately.
"For the factory operating without a licence – in addition to the verbal warning and advice to stop operations immediately – it was issued with two fines, one for conducting business without a licence and one for displaying advertisements without a licence," he added.
H'ng said, following this, the MBSP would also prepare an investigation report for the state DoE to take further action.
At the same time, he said, MBSP would revoke the business licence of the factory that did not comply with regulations.
"I want to emphasise that as the assemblyman, I will not tolerate illegal factories and those causing disturbances and odour pollution to endanger the community and local residents," he said.