ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Johor state government will submit a request for review on the sentence imposed against offenders in the 2019 Sungai Kim Kim pollution.
Sungai Johor Joint Task Force, Chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said the task force will request deputy public prosecutor to seek a review, whether the sentence was adequate, given the severity of the impact caused by the offenders' actions on the environment, as well as livelihood of the surrounding residents.
"This is to ensure that the fines imposed truly reflect the government's efforts in addressing pollution impact on the river and its effects on the surrounding community," he said.
He too emphasised the need for strict enforcement related to issues of safeguarding and preserving the environment, especially rivers, for future generations.
Jafni said this in reference to the recent court decision of imposing a maximum fine on a lorry driver involved in the Kim Kim River pollution incident that affected the health and wellbeing of over 2,000 people, including young children.
Some 111 schools in the Pasir Gudang vicinity were also forced to close due to the pollution at the Kim Kim river in 2019.
The court today fined P Tech Resources Sdn Bhd, which faced eight charges under the Environmental Quality Regulations (Clean Air) 2014, a fine totalling up to RM320,000 for the offence, after it was found guilty for causing the pollution back then. - BERNAMA
