A group of 250 residents held a peaceful rally at the Kedah Halal Park in Sungai Petani today to protest against imported waste companies, which they say are still in operation "day and night" despite being sealed by the local council.
Spokesperson for the group, former DAP Berapit assemblyperson Lydia Ong Kok Fooi said that last April, the Kedah government announced that no more licences issued to any imported waste recycling factories.
"But last Sept 5, in the meeting held by state executive councillor Tan Kok Yew, he told us there are six licence applications for imported waste recycling factories still under consideration," Ong told Malaysiakini, when contacted.
"We are very angry because we were told that Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin issued another two approved permits to two such companies in Sungai Petani," Ong added.
Tomorrow, another peaceful protest will be held in Alor Setar by the same group, Persatuan Tindakan Alam Sekitar Sungai Petani, Kedah (Environmental Action Society Around Sungai Petani).
Today, the rally was held in front of the company at Kedah Halal Park to protest the pollution caused by the waste recycling plant.
The factory, which covers over 30 acres in size, has been sealed and told to stop operations since May 2 but continues to operate in defiance of the state government, said the group, in a statement today.
Residents of the nearby residential areas - Resort Homes, Resort Villa, Cinta Sayang Golf Resort and Ambangan Heights - complain of poor air quality and bad odour, especially at night and in the early hours in the morning.
Since mid-2018, many garbage recycling plants have opened in Sungai Petani after China banned the import of plastic waste.
In April 2019, the state government issued a directive that all unlicensed garbage recycling factories dealing in imported waste will be closed.
"Unfortunately, despite 17 being sealed and six having their power supply and water cut, they continue to operate in defiance," said the group.
"Although a directive was issued that licensed recycling factories can only operate from 6am to 8pm, many continue to operate at night," they added.
"This is causing air, water and soil pollution."
According to the group's research, there is an unusual increase in admissions (20 to 30 percent) for respiratory problems in private hospitals since last year.
Many schools reported the suspension of outdoor activities in the last four months.
"There have also been reports of asthma, dermatitis and eye irritation becoming chronic in areas near the factories," the group added.
"We are strongly protesting the possibility of issuance of new licenses and APs to import waste," the group stressed.
"We urge Tan to follow the original policy of no new licenses.
"We urge the local Department of Environment and local council to object to the issuance of APs and seek clarification with the Local Government Ministry if indeed the claims of issuing APs are true," they added.
Malaysiakini is contacting Zuraida and Tan over the allegations and is awaiting their comments. - Mkini
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