Norlela said she was first told about the villagers’ concern over the illegal factory, located in Sungai Lembu, Bukit Mertajamin, in February 2015.
“I raised the matter at the state assembly but no action was taken by the authorities for two years,” The Star quoted Norlela as saying.
Norlela and several other reps have been critical of the state leadership for not carrying out its duties well and not caring about the environment.
State executive councillor Phee Boon Poh, the manager, and the director of the illegal factory, were detained by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on Friday over investigations into the illegal factory.
The MACC also raided Phee’s office on the 53rd floor of Komtar on Friday before his arrest as well as raided his home in Sungai Puyu, Butterworth, this evening.
Today’s arrest follows yesterday’s multi-agency sting on the factory, which was found to have flouted many federal regulations.
The Department of Environment found the factory did not have a proper air pollution control system.
The factory was also allegedly operating illegally on agriculture land in Sungai Lembu.
The MACC, Immigration Department, the Environment Department and the Inland Revenue Board jointly conducted the operation.
Besides the factory, the Seberang Perai Municipal Council’s licensing department, was also raided by the MACC yesterday. The officers left with heaps of documents.