State Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh revealed the declassified minutes from the Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP), dated May 6, 2015, at a press conference at Komtar today.
In the minutes, the federal regulator, the Department of Environment (DoE), had said there was no pollution at the factory during the visit as it had barriers that prevented smoke and dust from escaping.
“The DoE can support the running of this factory if the sawdust burning can be done in an enclosed building with the right safety measures employed.
“The factory owner must also get a licence from the MPSP and DoE and ensure the right processes are followed and the suitability of the factory site meets conditions,” a representative from DoE said at the meeting.
The factory, now under a MACC probe, was using the conventional method of burning sawdust to make activated carbon, which is used widely in air purifiers, water filters and air-conditioners.
There were 31 open burning pits at the site, which took firemen about a week to put out.
Authorities, however, had begun a graft probe on the factory after it was revealed that the 5,000 sq metre factory in Kampung Sungai Lembu, Bukit Mertajam, did not have a proper emission control system.
The factory is located on a hill land in an oil palm estate, and is 1km away from the nearest residential area. The factory has since been seized by the DoE and has ceased operating.
News reports had claimed residents in the area had been complaining about the persistent filthy air, which made them fall sick, over the past 10 years.
MPSP visited factory in 2015
The municipal council officers, Penanti assemblyperson Norlela Ariffin, village security and development committee members and district land officers visited the factory on Feb 18, 2015.
The factory was found to have been operating without planning permission, building plans or a business licence.
MPSP then issued a stop business notice and a compound fine on Feb 25 the same year.
“A demolition order was also issued to the factory but this was delayed,” the minutes read.
The following month, the factory applied for a licence to operate the “activated carbon charcoal” factory.
MPSP said the application was rejected as the council’s building department, town planning department and the Fire and Rescue Services Department were not agreeable to the factory operating.
Phee reveals more details on factory at meeting
Phee revealed that the factory had operated in Alma, Bukit Mertajam, for many years but was told to move out after it failed to renew its licence.
Phee had asked the factory to be placed under the “legalisation process” (“pemutihan”) so that it could ensure it meets the safety and environmental standards set.
“… it has gotten a MPSP licence before and is far away from residential areas,” Phee said at the discussion stage of the meeting.
Phee also said a detailed investigation must be carried out into claims that the smoke emitted from the factory had caused illnesses among the kampung folk.
“The factory is 500 metres away from the nearest residential area,” he said.
At today’s press conference, Phee clarified that under DoE regulations, a heavy industries factory must be at least 500 metres away from a residential area.
“The factory had been operating for the past 15 years, at about 1km away from the kampung,” he said.
Penanti rep says the factory a nuisance to locals
At the meeting, Penanti assemblywoman Norlela Ariffin said the factory was operating without the right safety measures and was endangering the workers.
She said her own daughter who had accompanied her during a site visit with MPSP had to undergo medical treatment after visiting the factory.
Meanwhile, the Central Seberang Perai district land office representative told the meeting the factory was on hilly land and had to apply to rezone the area to an industrial zone if it wanted to operate.
The MPSP’s town planning department concurred with the district officer, saying rezoning was needed.
The meeting ended with the council deciding that the factory had to be issued a compound notice for not following the law.
“Court action should be taken on the factory owners if it refuses to carry out its business legally.”
It is learnt the MPSP had taken the factory owners to court last year and the court ordered the owners to pay RM1,000 in fines.
Meanwhile, Phee said more will be revealed in time and refused to comment further.