LICENCE BREACHES, CULVERT WORKS CAUSED SUNGAI KUANG POLLUTION - SPAN

CYBERJAYA, Dec 5 (Bernama) -- Violations of business licencing regulations and unauthorised culvert construction have been identified as key contributors to the water supply disruption caused by pollution in Sungai Kuang, Selangor on July 22.

National Water Services Commission (SPAN) chairman Charles Santiago, said these findings were part of the investigation by SPAN's Special Committee (JKK SPAN) into the unscheduled water supply disruption that affected about 1,141 areas.

The investigation found that the main tenant of the premises, despite holding a valid business licence, allowed a sub-tenant to operate under the licence without informing the local authorities (PBT).

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"According to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report, the main tenant, who had EIA approval, also permitted the sub-tenant to use the report without the knowledge or consent of the Department of Environment (DOE).

"In addition, no details about the culvert construction adjacent to the premises were found in the plans approved by the PBT," Santiago told a press conference today.

The pollution in Sungai Kuang on July 22 caused a massive water supply disruption, affecting 1,124,781 user accounts.

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Operations at four water treatment plants (LRA) - Rantau Panjang LRA, Sungai Selangor Phase 1 (SSP1), Sungai Selangor Phase 2 (SSP2) and Sungai Selangor Phase 3 (SSP3) - had to be temporarily halted on July 23.

Reports indicated that the contamination was caused by a chemical spill involving “Poly (methacrylic acid)" (PMAA) in Sungai Kuang.

To address such incidents, SPAN proposed stricter enforcement measures, including mandatory on-site inspections for all new and renewed business licence applications.

"Regular targeted inspections should also be carried out by DOE to ensure compliance with EIA approvals and stricter controls on waste discharges into rivers must be implemented," he added.

Santiago urged agencies to improve real-time information sharing and enhance direct collaboration, regardless of the severity level of activated pollution cases.

He also called for tighter monitoring of Approved Permit (AP) holders to prevent misuse, such as the selling, leasing, or sub-licensing of permits to third parties, including foreign nationals.

"SPAN urges the state government to inspect all factories or business premises involved in plastic waste recycling, particularly in affected areas, and more broadly in all high-risk zones," he said.

SPAN's 67-page JKK report, released today, also highlighted potential money laundering activities connected to the incident.

The company responsible for the pollution is reportedly owned by a Chinese national, who is both the director and sole shareholder.

The report questioned how a company with such status could conduct tightly regulated financial transactions within the country, especially in cases involving foreign-owned businesses.

It recommended further investigations under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing, and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLA).

-- BERNAMA