Sungai petani: The Kedah Department of Environment (DOE) has executed an Equipment Operation Seizure (POK) against six machines engaged in processing plastic waste during an operation named Op Gempur at a site in the Bukit Selambau Industrial Area. The operation took place yesterday and was aimed at curbing industrial activities that threaten environmental safety.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Sharifah Zakiah Syed Sahab, the director of Kedah DOE, stated that the operation was conducted from 9 am to 3 pm. This action followed continuous monitoring by DOE enforcement authorities. The inspection revealed that the premises were involved in cleaning and extruding processed plastic waste to produce plastic pellets.

Action was taken under Section 38 (1)(a) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 against six plastic extruder machines and the air pollution control system used in the production process, which did not have DOE approval. Further investigation uncovered a substantial amount of raw materials and finished products, including 1,000 jumbo bags or roughly 500 tonnes of plastic waste, believed to be used in manufacturing.

The enforcement officers also found approximately 110 tonnes of finished plastic pellets packed in 4,400 sacks, with each sack weighing around 25 kilogrammes. Samples of plastic waste and pellets were taken and sent to the Department of Chemistry Malaysia for analysis. The case is under investigation under Section 34A (6) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974. Kedah DOE intends to intensify enforcement operations to ensure compliance with environmental laws and prevent adverse effects on public health and the environment.

The public is encouraged to report any activities that may pollute the environment via the toll-free line 1-800-88-2727 or through http://eaduan.doe.gov.my.