The association’s comments follow the recent storm over the operation of an illegal factory producing activated carbon in Bukit Mertajam, which culminated in the arrest of a senior Penang politician.
CAP president SM Mohd Idris said action to close down operations should have been taken immediately, especially since complaints had been received.
He hit out at the Penang government for allowing illegal factories built before March 2008 to continue running throughout the “legalisation” process, saying it was unfair to the people who suffered as a consequence.
Pointing out that the factory in Bukit Mertajam was said to pose severe health risks, he added that those who do not follow the law must be harshly punished.
“We also want stringent enforcement action to be taken against illegal factories that are polluting and causing harm to public health.
“What we want is good governance. We have rules and regulations to protect public health and the environment.
“Anyone breaching the law should be penalised and not get off scot-free and take their time to legalise their illegal premises or establishments,” Idris told FMT when contacted.
He also questioned the role played by the local authority of the factory in question, the Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP), asking why it had not acted to stop the factory from operating.
He said the Department of Environment should also have taken action sooner as the factory was polluting the air.
Recently, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said after the opposition swept into power in 2008, all buildings, hawker centres and temples built or established illegally during Barisan Nasional’s rule would have to go through a legalisation process.
He said as long as the illegal structures did not affect traffic or people around the area, the state government would assist in legalising them.
According to him, there would be no time limit imposed on the process.
“The factory in question has been in existence for more than 10 years, and it is sitting on its own land.
“We usually take mitigating steps to get rid of these problems. As for illegal structures after 2008, we try to prevent them from growing wild like mushrooms,” Lim was quoted as saying on Saturday.