KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 5 — The Selangor state government will table a motion at the state assembly seating in October to increase the fine for water polluters to RM1 million.
Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the state has agreed to amend the Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS) enactment to deter future polluters.
He also said the federal government through the Ministry of Environment and Water will also suggest amendments to the Environmental Act to toughen its stand against polluters as well.
“The state government through LUAS has agreed to improve the enactment. Under the previous law, the pollution fine is around RM500,000 and we plan to bring it to RM1 million.
“The enactment will be brought to the state assembly session that will convene in the final budget of October and November. We will bring this enactment immediately for amendment.
“We had started this, for a year or two, in studying the aspects. We hope the ministry of environment will immediately change the Environmental Act and with high fines, there will be awareness,” he told a press conference at the Air Selangor headquarters here today.
Under the current LUAS Enactment of 1999, anyone caught polluting the water is currently liable to a fine not exceeding RM100,000 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding three years or both and a further fine of RM300,00 for each day that the offence is continued after a notice by the director requiring compliance has been served.
Yesterday, Minister of Science and Technology Khairy Jamaluddin proposed heavier fines for water polluters and the amendment of the Water Services Industry Act and the Environmental Quality Act.
His remarks on Twitter were supported by both federal and state officials with Minister of Environment and Water Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man also in agreement.
Kota Anggerik State Assemblyman Najwan Halimi made the same suggestion during the Selangor State Assembly last July.
