KEPALA BATAS: The Penang Department of Environment (DoE) has taken firm action against industries and pollution sources found to violate the Environmental Quality Act 1974 and its regulations throughout the year.
State DoE director Norazizi Adinan said enforcement action included 314 notices of direction, 267 investigation papers (for compound fines), 14 operational equipment detainments and two investigation papers for legal proceedings.
"Routine inspections were conducted on 1,307 industrial premises and potential pollution sources that could pose environmental risks, as well as premises that received frequent complaints or had never been inspected before.
"The industries involved in this year's inspections included plastics, chemicals, basic metal manufacturing, rubber, paper, food, textiles, printing, metal products and electrical and electronics manufacturing," he said today (Dec 23).
Norazizi said the enforcement activities successfully met their objectives and such integrated enforcement operations would continue to be carried out.
Norazizi said the state DoE also conducted Operation Gempur (Op Gempur) throughout the year in collaboration with other agencies. He said a total of 12 Op Gempur operations were carried out in 2024, aimed at ensuring compliance with the Environmental Quality Act 1974 and its regulations.
"These operations involved inspections of 250 industrial premises and sewage treatment plants across Seberang Prai and the island.
"As a result, 224 field directions, 69 notice of direction under Sections 31 and 37 of the EQA 1974, 63 investigation papers recommending compound fines, three operational equipment detainments and eight investigation papers recommending prosecution were opened during the operations," he added.
Norazizi said all parties must play their part and fulfil their responsibilities in ensuring the preservation of environmental quality.
He urged the public to report any environmental crime-related information or complaints via the toll-free hotline at 1-800-88-2727, email at aduan_k@doe.gov.my, or through the DOE's e-complaint portal at https://eaduan.doe.gov.my.