He said inspections detected toxic pollution and spillage of e-waste at both sites, occupying about 2.43ha, located just 500m from Sungai Linggi.

“How could these two unnamed premises be built on agricultural land? Containers containing e-waste should be checked at the port and only accepted by companies after getting approval from the environmental department,” he said.

“This is a warning. We are too lax with procedures. For instance, Tenaga Nasional Berhad should not provide electricity supply to such a big building without any licence. It’s not an easy process to approve electricity or water supply to such premises.

“I accept public comments about problems like this. It’s constructive criticism and I hope this matter does not recur.

“Whatever happens, someone must accept responsibility. I have asked the agencies responsible for this area to be issued show-cause letters.

“If the department heads do not issue the letters, I will instruct the state secretary to issue show-cause letters to them as well.”

He said he would not compromise with any party about the matter as e-waste contained many toxic elements which, if not processed in a proper manner, would have a negative effect on the population, with the possibility of causing miscarriages, birth defects as well as neurological problems.

Twenty-two people, comprising a Malaysian and nationals from Myanmar, China and Bangladesh, were checked at the premises during today’s operation, Aminuddin said.

It was reported that state enforcement agencies had raided an illegal factory conducting e-waste processing at Kampung Puchong, along Jalan Kuala Sawah, in February, and a site at Mukim Pantai, Jalan Jelebu, four days ago.