Latest news with #JohorEnvironmentDepartment
New Straits Times
12 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Environment Department to toughen action on repeat offenders, improve SOPs
KUALA LUMPUR: Stricter action against repeat environmental offenders and improvements to existing standard operating procedures are among the measures taken by the Environment Department to strengthen environmental enforcement, said its director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar. He said this follows recommendations from the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC), which recently highlighted weaknesses in enforcement by the Johor Environment Department involving recycling premises in the Segamat Industrial Area. "While all reported premises were found to have valid licences, the department acknowledges there is still room for improvement," he said in a statement. He said the department will intensify inspections on problematic premises, with a focus on stricter enforcement against repeat offenders. Measures include equipment operation seizure, suspension of licenses and preparation of investigation papers for court action as provided under the Environmental Quality Act 1974 and its related regulations. "The department has also reviewed and enhanced its existing SOPs to ensure uniform implementation at all levels of operation, including state and district offices. "The updated SOPs have been distributed to all department personnel. To ensure proper understanding and implementation, continuous engagement sessions will be held for officers at all levels," he said. Wan Abdul Latiff added that the department has revised its existing compound guidelines to enable more effective and fair enforcement. "Additionally, the issuance of compound offers now requires the approval of the deputy public prosecutor to ensure that the process aligns with legal standards and upholds justice." He said another measure includes the delegation of authority. "A consolidated delegation authority, which combines six existing orders, named Environmental Quality (Delegation of Powers to Government Departments, Local Authorities and Corporations) Order 2025 was gazetted on July 7 and came into effect on July 8. "This delegation of authority is a proactive step to strengthen enforcement by empowering relevant departments and agencies to act more effectively within their jurisdictions." Wan Abdul Latiff said the department is committed to taking proactive measures to address the issues raised, despite the complainant's allegations being unfounded based on several justifications. The justifications include that the department had taken enforcement action against the reported premises in accordance with the law and established SOPs. "A review of related documents confirmed that all the premises involved possess valid licenses from the department and local authorities, as well as operating within approved industrial areas. "Furthermore, there is no solid evidence of misconduct by any Johor Environment Department officers during the enforcement actions under the Environmental Quality Act 1974. "Additionally, the Segamat Branch Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission conducted an investigation and confirmed that no elements of corruption were found and appropriate enforcement measures have been taken by the department." On July 18, EAIC flagged weak enforcement by the Johor Environment Department concerning recycling premises operating in the Segamat Industrial Area. Among the enforcement flaws highlighted were ineffective penalties in deterring repeat offences, inconsistent enforcement of guidelines across states and districts, and delays in the implementation of revised new compounds.
Free Malaysia Today
04-07-2025
- Climate
- Free Malaysia Today
Oil spill from storage facility fire threatens waters off Johor, say authorities
A storage facility for lorries and engine oil at Jalan Cenderai in Taman Kota Puteri, Masai went up in flames yesterday. (Bernama pic) JOHOR BAHRU : A black liquid, believed to be engine oil, has been detected flowing from the site of a fire involving a storage facility for lorries and engine oil at Jalan Cenderai in Taman Kota Puteri, Masai in Johor. Johor Bahru City Council (MBJB) mayor Haffiz Ahmad said the substance had been seen flowing into a drainage system and is feared to be heading towards the Straits of Tebrau. To prevent further environmental contamination, MBJB, with the help of multiple government agencies, has initiated immediate containment efforts. 'We are digging containment ponds at the site to block the flow of the liquid,' he said during a visit to the scene earlier today. Meanwhile, the Johor environment department will install oil booms in the drains and nearby areas to contain the spread. The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and the marine department have also been deployed to the upper Straits of Tebrau to set up coastal booms to prevent the liquid from reaching open waters. 'The fastest containment step for now is to create these ponds on-site to stop the flow,' Haffiz said. The environment department will also be collecting samples to determine the exact composition of the substance.
New Straits Times
17-05-2025
- New Straits Times
Managing director, factory manager among three nabbed over scheduled waste dumping
JOHOR BARU: A managing director and a factory manager were among three individuals detained during an inspection into the suspected illegal disposal of scheduled waste at the Pasir Gudang Industrial Area on Thursday. Johor Environment Department director Dr Mohd Famey Yusoff said the arrests were made following a complaint lodged by members of the public over the matter. Preliminary investigations showed that the waste had been buried in a bushy area by a facility involved in fuel oil production. "Further investigations uncovered around 16 containers of liquid material containing scheduled waste classified as SW 311, waste oil or oily sludge, stored inside an abandoned warehouse. "Three samples were sent to the Johor State Chemistry Department for analysis," he said in a statement today. He said the arrests of two men and one woman, aged between 28 and 62, were made under Section 37C of the Environmental Quality Act 1974. He said further investigation into the case is being carried out under Section 24(1) and Section 34B(1)(a) of the same act, in relation to land contamination. "The industry is reminded to always comply with the Environmental Quality Act 1974 and its accompanying regulations.
