DOE raids smelting factory in Kuala Kangsar

KUALA KANGSAR - The Perak Department of Environment (DOE) raided a factory found to be conducting illegal metal smelting activities in an oil palm plantation near Kampung Tasek Perkasa and Kampung Bekor here yesterday afternoon.

State Science, Environment and Green Technology Committee chairman Teh Kok Lim said initial investigation by found that the factory was conducting smelting activities using waste from electrical and electronic assemblies or SW110 scheduled waste as one of the raw materials.

He said the factory was believed to be operating without a licence since four months ago and efforts are being made to locate the owner.

"The DOE has been monitoring the factory since Nov 29 and the factory is believed to operate only at night to avoid detection by the authorities and also suspected of employing foreign workers," he told a press conference after an integrated operation against illegal factories here yesterday.

The operation, which started at 4.30 pm and ended at about 7 pm, involved the police, the Kuala Kangsar Land and District Office (PTD), the Perak Occupational Safety and Health Department (JKKP), State Immigration Department and the Kuala Kangsar Municipal Council (MPKK).

Teh said no arrests were made during the raid.

Meanwhile, Perak DOE director Rosli Zul said samples from smelting waste will be sent to the Chemistry Department for analysis.

He said action in accordance with Section 18 of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 will be taken against the factory operator for carrying out activities without the DOE approval and under Section 19 of the same law for constructing a building without approval

"The DOE will also apply Section 34A(2) of the same act, which is for not submitting an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIA), as well as take action in accordance with the Environmental Quality Regulations (Clean Air ) 2014 and the Environment (Scheduled Waste) Regulations 2005," he said. - BERNAMA