September-October , 2020 | @ Forest
ENVIRONMENT
37
Slaps on the wrist
Peka pushes for more stringent action against perpetrators
By GRAIG NUNIS
The Association for the Protection of the Natural Heritage of Malaysia ( Peka ) said a special task force to prevent environmental crimes was long overdue . Still , the government must be more proactive in keeping the environment clean .
It also said putting the environment ahead of profit was a must , or nothing will work .
Environment and Water Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man earlier said they would set up an elite environmental crime prevention unit .
The task force would comprise personnel from the Department of Environment , Water Services Commission ( SPAN ), Biosafety Department and the police .
“ The only way Malaysia can help the environment is if the authorities stop letting economic benefits override environmental safety measures ,” Peka president Puan Sri Shariffa Sabrina Syed Akil said to TwentyTwo13 , referring to a series of cases involving dumping in rivers with the latest two weeks ago .
“ There should also be more considerable fines and harsher punishments for those who harm the environment ; otherwise , this ( task force ) will not deter the polluters .
“ There has been so much talk in the past but not much action .
She added when pollution happened , the public was never compensated while the polluters got off with a slap on the wrist .
“ The only way Malaysia can help the environment is if the authorities stop letting economic benefits override environmental safety measures .”
— Puan Sri Shariffa Sabrina
A total of 1,292 areas in the Klang Valley , Petaling , Klang , Shah Alam , Kuala Selangor , Hulu Selangor , Gombak and Kuala Langat involving some 1.2 million consumer accounts were affected by the unscheduled water cuts when four Sungai Selangor water treatment plants had to suspend operations on Sept 3 .
Investigations revealed a factory had allegedly released solvent into Sungai Gong which flows into Sungai Sembah – one of the main tributaries of Sungai Selangor .
Four factory managers were subsequently charged .
“ The fines these culprits pay are minuscule compared to their profits . What incentive is there then for them to stop doing it ?” Shariffa Sabrina asked .
“ They would rather pay a small fine or in some cases , bribes , and go on polluting the environment .”
She added no one had solved the root of the problem – the issuance of licences and permits to set up factories near rivers .
On the task force , Shariffa Sabrina said : “ It may serve as a temporary solution .
“ A long-term strategy must be in place to ensure the root of the problem is addressed . The proposal to amend the Environmental Quality Act ( EQA ) 1974 must also be revisited .
“ A new EQA with a wider scope , better investigative and enforcement powers , deterrent sentences , and compensation for victims is needed . Empowering the public to appoint local government officials by way of an election also enables some form of check and balance .”
She added Peka wanted an adequate allocation in the 2020 budget to ensure sustainable growth , protection of primary forests and all watercourses . There must be transparency on how the funds are allocated .
“ It is quickly becoming a situation in Malaysia whereby there is water everywhere , but there may soon not be a drop that is safe to drink !” — @ Forest