No traces of pollution at illegal carbon filter factory in Penang

GEORGE TOWN: The Department of Environment (DOE) found no traces of pollution at an illegal carbon filter processing factory at Kampung Sungai Lembu in 2015.
This was revealed after the minutes of a Seberang Perai Municipal Council meeting was declassified and distributed to the media in a press conference by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng today.
The May 6, 2015, minutes found there was no pollution as barriers were installed at the top of the factory to prevent smoke and ash from escaping.
"The DOE can support the operation of the factory if the sawdust burning activity was made in a closed environment and safety devices were used.
"In addition, the operator of the factory has to obtain the license from the Council and the DOE will see to additional related conditions like the process and the suitability of the site," the minutes said.
The minutes were referred to by Penang Environment, Welfare and Caring Society Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh during the press conference.
The issue is in the spotlight after the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) raided the factory earlier this month and subsequently detained Phee and two senior managers of the factory.
All three have been released while Phee has returned to work after being away on medical leave.
Referring to the minutes, Phee noted the factory operator possessed the license while previously operating in Alma, Bukit Mertajam, but the license was cancelled after moving and the operator did not apply for a new one.
He said the factory (at the current site) was more than 500m away from residential areas, and called for a detailed investigation into pollution claims as well as claims that residents of Kampung Sungai Lembu became ill, due to pollution from the facility.
Phee said the operator had applied to rezone the land from agriculture to industrial but the application was rejected.
He said agriculture land was for agro-based industries and not for industrial use.
"The building plan application was also rejected due to the land status," he said, when asked if applications for licenses were made.