Palm oil mill's permit suspended over river pollution

The Environment and Water Ministry through the Department of Environment has suspended the operating permit of a palm oil mill for allegedly causing pollution and incidents of dead fish in Sungai Sembrong, near Kluang on June 1.

The ministry, in a statement yesterday said the premise was suspended on June 3.

"Investigations were carried out with the Kluang Branch Fisheries Department and representatives of villages along Sungai Sembrong from the Sedohok Orang Asli settlement where the dead fishes were found.

"The factory has a business license from the Kluang District Council and a palm oil palm factory licence from DOE, and was allowed to operate during the movement control order (MCO) and conditional MCO," the statement said.

It said investigations took in situ water quality sampling along Sungai Sembrong and found dark coloured water suspected to be waste from the oil palm factory mixing with river water.

Enforcement officers also found violations of the licensing conditions issued by the DOE which could potentially cause pollutions from the plant, it added.

Subsequently, DOE also issued a directive notice to the factory for failing to carry out maintenance on the furrow system to ensure better absorption and prevent effluent flowing into nearby waterways.

"In addition, there is non- compliance with the stipulated conditions such as traces of surface water run-off from the furrow system and non-compliance with the stipulated condition of release.

"This offence has been classified as a repeated offence. The operating permit has been suspended beginning June 3 until DOE is satisfied with the repair works carried out by the premise,” the statement said.

An investigation paper had been opened for the previous offences and the DOE is in the process of taking action.

Meanwhile, State Health and Environment Committee chairman R Vidyananthan said besides Johor DOE, the Johor Fisheries Department will also conduct a thorough investigation on the matter.

On June 1, Sedohok Orang Asli settlement village head Halim Jahari lodged a complaint on incidents of dead fish in the river at about 5 pm.

- Bernama