Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) said in view of the river pollution in Ipoh and hill clearing in Penang, police must keep an eye out for those damaging the environment

“We are talking about a double crime here. The first crime is polluting and degrading our environment and the second is carrying out hill clearing works when the MCO states you are not supposed to,” SAM president Meenakshi Raman told FMT.

“If the police are catching joggers and loiterers, giving them fines of RM1,000, then the punishment for environmental crimes should be heftier and it must serve as a deterrent.

“Environment-related crimes are far more serious crimes that need to be brought to court.”

Recently, synthetic latex leaked from a glove-making factory into its drains and ended up in Sungai Meru, which saw the river turn white and fish die. It was later described as “human error” by a Perak government official.

In Penang, more than 10ha were cleared on a hilltop for farming purposes. Although it is uncertain if the clearing was carried out during the MCO period, massive slash and burn activities were observed during the partial lockdown by residents.

There has been no comment from the local authorities, but it is learned that a stop-work order was served by the city council last month.

Meenakshi said no agricultural activity should be carried out above 250ft under Penang’s town planning blueprint.

Based on reports by independent monitoring group Penang Hills Watch, she said, clearing of the area began in 2013.

“It is unbelievable that it has been going on for many years with impunity. The council must explain why there has been no action all these years,” she said.

FMT has contacted the Penang Island City Council for comment.