Housing ministry to look into alleged pollution from Jenjarom battery plant

The polluted area at the back of the battery manufacturing plant in Kampung Jenjarom, Kuala Langat.

AMPANG: Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin says she has yet to receive any reports regarding pollution allegedly caused by a lead-acid battery manufacturing plant in Jenjarom.

“We will look into the matter. If the plant is found to bypass the rules, then action will be taken if needed,” she told reporters today at Hospital Ampang.

Residents staying close to the factory had raised concerns over their health and the well-being of their children as the factory was located just 300m from schools.

An environmentalist, Maketab Mohamed, had claimed there are signs of lead poisoning among the villagers and workers from the factory.

Zuraida said the local council and state government has to look into the matter and investigate the issue, noting that the factory is located close to the houses and schools.

“If the discharge is coming out from the factory, the local council will straightaway cease its operations and revoke its licence.”

She also said the relevant ministries, like the energy, science, technology, environment and climate change ministry, and the water, land and natural resources ministry, might have been informed about the issue and would be responsible for investigating this matter to decide if a compound fine should be imposed on the plant. - FMT