Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari (PH-Sungai Tua), in tabling amendments to the Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS) enactment, also said they wanted to increase the maximum fine from RM100,000 to RM1 million.
Currently, any person who is found guilty of polluting water sources will face a maximum RM100,000 fine or a maximum three years in jail.
“Recently, we experienced problems with river pollution that caused water treatment plants to be closed. It has now become a pressing need for LUAS to relook into its laws that have never been amended for the past two decades,” he said.
He added that the proposed penalties would serve as a deterrent against those who try to pollute the state’s water sources.
“The state government wants to include five sections into the enactment,” Amirudin said.
The proposed sections will give police officers (from the rank of inspector and above) the power to seize assets without a warrant if they have reasons to believe the assets are related to an offence under Section 99A, adding the proposed Section 99B will allow authorities to forfeit them.
“Meanwhile, Section 99C proposes powers for authorities to forfeit seized assets after a case has been prosecuted while Section 99D allows authorities to forfeit them if there is no prosecution.”
He also said the state government wants to reward informers for providing relevant information on any offences.
“Section 104 can be seen as providing incentive and encouragement to the public to step forward and provide information on any known water pollution incidents.”
During the state assembly, Michelle Ng (PH-Subang Jaya) said she was thankful that the Selangor government had accepted the proposal on the stiffer penalties.
“I think there is a need for an appropriate sentence to be included as water pollution causes inconveniences to the public,” she said.
Mohd Imran Tamrin (BN-Sungai Panjang) said he agreed with Ng, adding that the state government needs to include subsection penalties for repeat offenders.
“However, we also need to ensure these people be given a fair trial in court,” he said.
The assembly will resume on Monday.