SD Guthrie, formerly Sime Darby Plantation, admitted that the company fell short of standards set for itself, but pointed out this was the first such incident at its Sua Betong mill.

It said the equipment disruption occurred between December 2023 and January 2024. The problem has been resolved and other steps have been taken to prevent such disruptions in the future.

“On Jan 2, the environment department collected water samples from the area, which we had also independently tested at our labs. Based on our internal analysis, we proactively informed the department on Jan 24 of effluent quality exceeding permissible thresholds.

“A detailed report of the findings and corrective actions was subsequently presented to the Negeri Sembilan environment department deputy director on May 8.

“We have also constructed a new holding pond for solid waste containment and thus effluent discharge has been stabilised,” it said in a statement.

Last week, SD Guthrie was fined RM13,000 after its representative pleaded guilty in the sessions court to polluting Sungai Linggi by discharging effluents beyond the permissible level from its factory ponds.

Mill manager Ahmad Fauzi Jantan paid the fine.