Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun has warned of serious action following recent raids on two factories conducting illegal stripping of electronic waste in Kampung Ribu, Rantau near Seremban.
He said inspections detected toxic pollution and spillage of e-waste at both sites, occupying around 2.43ha, located around 500m from Sungai Linggi.
“How could these two unnamed premises be built on agricultural land? These containers here could contain e-waste. They should have been checked at the port and be accepted by companies with approval from the Department of Environment.
“This is a warning, we are too lax with procedures. For instance, TNB (Tenaga Nasional Berhad) should not provide (electricity supply) to such a big building without any licence. It’s not an easy process to approve such premises for electricity or water supply.
“I accept public comments about problems like this. It’s constructive criticism and I hope this matter does not recur. Whatever happens, someone must take responsibility, so I have asked the agencies responsible for this area to issue 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, vowing no compromise on the matter.
He noted that 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, neurological and nerve damage.
A total of 22 individuals, a local and foreigners from Myanmar, China and Bangladesh, who were working at the premises were checked during today’s operation, Aminuddin said.
It was reported previously that state enforcement agencies had raided an illegal factory conducting e-waste processing along Jalan Kuala Sawah, Kampung Puchong in February, and a site in Mukim Pantai, Jalan Jelebu four days ago.
- Bernama
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