Kulim dye factory fined RM20,000 for repeat pollution offence
Sessions Court Judge Mirza Mohamad imposed the penalty after the company's director, representing the firm, pleaded guilty to the charge.
Kedah Deparment of Environment (DoE) director Sharifah Zakiah Syed Sahab said investigations revealed that samples taken from the factory's Industrial Effluent Treatment System (IETS) discharge point exceeded legal pollution thresholds.
She said the violation was detected during a DoE inspection on Sept 26, 2024 at the Kulim Industrial Area.
The company was charged under Regulation 11(1)(b) of the Environmental Quality (Industrial Effluent) Regulations 2009, punishable by a maximum fine of RM100,000 or imprisonment of up to five years, or both.
In mitigation, the company's director appealed for a lighter sentence, citing that steps were underway to upgrade the factory's treatment system to prevent recurrence.
The director also told the court that the company had suffered financial losses in 2023 and 2024.
However, the DoE prosecuting officer urged the court to impose a heavier fine, noting that this was the company's second offence.
It had been fined RM10,000 by the same court on Oct 24, 2023, for a similar violation.
Tests showed the discharged effluents contained high organic pollution, which can severely affect water quality and aquatic life if left uncontrolled.
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