Penang DOE inspected 229 industrial sites in 2024, issuing 215 directives and 70 notices to protect river basins and combat illegal e-waste.
KEPALA BATAS: The Penang Department of Environment (DOE) inspected 229 industrial premises under a major enforcement operation from January to mid-December this year.
Its director, Badlishah Ahmad, said 215 on-site directives and 70 Notices of Direction were issued during the integrated Ops Gempur/Lembangan.
A total of 12 series of the operation were carried out by seven teams comprising 20 DOE enforcement officers.
The operation focused on industrial premises and scheduled waste facilities, particularly those upstream of water intake points.
It targeted major river basins such as Sungai Juru and Sungai Jawi to protect water sources.
Enforcement action included one equipment operation detention and the opening of 44 investigation papers for compound offers.
The offences fell under various Environmental Quality regulations governing industrial effluent, sewage, clean air, and scheduled wastes.
Meanwhile, the department also conducted Ops Hazard/Lusuh targeting unlicensed e-waste processing activities.
That operation involved cooperation from the police, the General Operations Force, Immigration, the MACC, and local city councils.
A total of 11 Ops Hazard/Lusuh operations were carried out, with 23 industrial premises inspected.
Eight investigation papers were opened, with four cases concluded in court involving total fines of RM180,000.
Another four cases are still undergoing court proceedings.
Badlishah said the integrated operations aimed to strengthen industry compliance with environmental laws.
The overarching goal is safeguarding long-term environmental sustainability for the state.
