Ensure effective enforcement of Environmental Quality (Amendment) Act, 20.6.2007.
DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw presses the Government to train more enforcement officers, so that the Environmental Quality (Amendment) Act will be enforced effectively to protect Malaysian environment.
Dr Tan took part in the debate on the amendment to the Environmental Quality Act 1974 on 19 Jun, 2007.
We have to improve the Malaysian environment. There are signs of bad practices such as haphazard disposal of rubbish, sewerage and toxic waste. Enhancing the laws, their enforcement and education is essential.
An estimate in 2006 shows that about 10,000 factories produce dangerous toxic waste in the country. In 2004 and 2005, there were 469,584 metric tonnes and 489,161 metric tonnes of toxic waste respectively, increasing by 8-9% a year. How much toxic waste is produced by illegal factories?
An Organization and Industry Censor in 2005 indicates that there are 546,218 small and medium industries (SMI) in Malaysia, 489,161 of which are micro.
Between 2001 and 2005, the Government spent RM 8 million to clean 97 cases of illegal dumping of toxic waste. Since 2005, how many more cases have come to light. Last year, the illegal dumping in Johore of dangerous waste from Taiwan caused a furore.
The above-stated amendment provides for a mandatory imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years and a fine not exceeding RM 500,000 against any person who contravenes Section 34B of the Act.
We agree that any person who disposes toxic waste illegally should be punished severely. This is reasonable.
The Government says that it encourages IKS. If an IKS is found guilty, it will be fined RM 500,000. If its profit is small, it will go bankrupt. Hence, IKS must keep well away from illegal disposal of toxic waste.
The amendment does not deal with the import of toxic waste. This is a weakness.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and 144 local authorities must train more enforcement personnel with quality. The ministry has 40 of them. This is inadequate. If we have more and better officers who are clean, efficient and trustworthy, the enforcement of the law will be more effective.
Dr Tan Seng Giaw
posted by Tan Seng Giaw @ 6/20/2007 04:32:00 PM
1 Comments:
The earth is sick. After pumping out all the available resources in earth: oil, gas, iron, tin, coal and etc, we are damaging the inner balance of the earth. We see change of wind, warming up of the globe, uneven distribution of rain pattern. Malaysia in itself see flooding all over the places, we do know water can allow boat to float, but it also can up-side turn a boat. At the same time, we see UMNO continue to abuse the system to get rich for their crony and family straightly starting from the very top, the Prime Minister's family. Their tool of racial politics is no longer that effective because Malaysia is moving from race-based politics to class-based politics. Just likes the flooding, the highway toll, the price increase cut all races. I also see the quality of UMNO leadership in the decline, we think Tun Dr Mahathir is not good, then we see a even weaker leader in Pak Lah, but wait until we see the Dato Najib, it will spell the end of UMNO. The legend of "RAHMAN" has predicted that the run of Prime Minister office for UMNO will end at six.
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