PETALING JAYA: The National Water Services Commission (SPAN) has asked the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) to explain why the firm responsible for polluting Sungai Kundang and Sungai Sembah was only given a RM1,000 compound fine and a seven-day licence suspension as penalties.
SPAN chairman Charles Santiago said many people have expressed their frustration on social media over the water woes.
These included those with large families, business owners as well as factories who were unable to operate during the unscheduled water disruption caused by pollution.
Santiago said the penalties under Section 11 of the MPS’s Refuse Collection, Removal and Disposal By-Laws 2007 were inadequate compared to the hardships faced by the people.
“I don’t understand the rationale behind the RM1,000 compound fine and why that particular provision of the by-law was used. MPS needs to clarify this,” he told FMT.
The odour pollution had resulted in the temporary shutdown of the Rantau Panjang, Sungai Selangor Phase 1, Sungai Selangor Phase 2 and Sungai Selangor Phase 3 water treatment plants. This had affected water supply in seven districts across Kuala Lumpur and Selangor since Tuesday.
The environment department (DoE) yesterday confirmed that effluent from a leaking tank at a factory caused poly methacrylic acid waste to overflow into drains and ditches leading up to Sungai Kuang. The water from Sungai Kuang entered Sungai Kundang, then into Sungai Sembah and subsequently into Sungai Selangor.
Santiago called on the authorities to investigate those involved under Section 277 of the Penal Code for polluting a public water source as well as Section 121 of the Water Services Industry Act 2006 for contaminating water sources.
Section 277 of the Penal Code carries a penalty of imprisonment for up to three months or a fine of up to RM1,000, or both, upon conviction.
Section 121 of the Water Services Industry Act, on the other hand, provides for a fine of up to RM500,000 or a maximum of 10 years’ imprisonment, or whipping, or any combination thereof upon conviction.
The former three-term Klang MP also called for a thorough investigation to determine the actual cause of the pollution, which would enable appropriate enforcement actions against those responsible.
“Was it intentional or due to negligence? If it was negligence, we need facts. It needs to be investigated,” he said.
Meanwhile, Selangor Water Management Board (Luas) is investigating the case under Section 79(1) of the Luas Enactment 1999, which provides for a fine of RM200,000 to RM1 million.
DoE was also reported to be investigating the case under Section 25 Environmental Quality Act for river pollution, punishable with mandatory imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of up to RM10 million on conviction.
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