A FINE of up to RM15 million is being proposed for corporations committing scheduled waste pollution.
Environment and Water Minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said this was among the amendments to the Environmental Quality Act 1974 under review.
He said heavier penalties were needed as the existing fine in the legislation was too low.
“We want to increase the fine to RM15 million and also impose mandatory imprisonment because, in the event of pollution, we have to suspend the operation of water treatment plants and water operators have to deploy water tankers to provide water supply to residents.
“It costs millions of ringgit to provide water while plants are closed, even though the pollution was caused by other quarters,” Tuan Ibrahim told reporters in Kota Baru today.
Currently, Section 34B of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 states that no person shall place, deposit or dispose of any scheduled waste on land or into Malaysian waters, except at prescribed premises, without any prior written approval of the director-general of environment.
Anyone found guilty of violating the law is liable to a fine of not exceeding RM500,000 or to imprisonment of not exceeding five years or both.
Tuan Ibrahim said the amendments to the Environmental Quality Act 1974 was expected to be tabled in the next Parliament sitting. – Bernama, April 4, 2021.
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