By Fitri Hazim Hazam
GOMBAK, Dec 8 — The state government has instructed Selangor’s local authorities to identify the owners of unauthorised factories who have not yet joined the legalisation programme.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said they have already provided a grace period for participation, and strict action would be taken against factories that continue to disregard the directive.
“I issued the directive during the recent Selangor State Executive Council meeting. All factory owners are subject to the Compliance and Enforcement Requirements for Unauthorised Factories 2025-2027.
“Efforts to eliminate illegal factories have been ongoing since 2009. Previously, the state considered the livelihoods of workers employed in these factories. If we were focused solely on the owners, enforcement actions would have been taken long ago.
“However, 20 pollution incidents at water treatment plants have occurred, three of which led to plant shutdowns. As such, the state government will no longer tolerate the operation of unauthorised factories,” he said.
Amirudin was speaking to the press after officiating the 2024 Environmental Carnival organised by the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) at the Batu Caves Public Park yesterday.
He added that the state government is undertaking various efforts to address water pollution issues, particularly through the implementation of the Raw Water Security Scheme, which is expected to be completed in the near future.
“In addition, the state government has gazetted the Zero Discharge Policy (ZDP) via the Selangor Water Management Authority. I believe that with the ZDP, all parties will be more responsible as they will face high costs if they discharge effluents illegally,” Amirudin said.
When asked about the recent water pollution incident in Sungai Kuang, the Menteri Besar said that MPS had been directed to carry out an integrated operation targeting factories in the area.
“I cannot disclose the date of the operation, but we appreciate the findings provided by the National Water Services Commission,” he said briefly.
Earlier, state executive councillor for local government, tourism, and New Village development Dato’ Ng Suee Lim announced that MPS had coordinated integrated law enforcement operations against all factories in the affected area.
