Palm oil mill fined RM15,000 for discharging effluent exceeding limit

SANDAKAN - A palm oil mill company, here, was fined RM15,000 by the Sessions Court for releasing liquid waste or effluent exceeding the set limit.

Judge Noor Hafizah Mohd Salim imposed the fine on the company after its representative pleaded guilty to discharging effluent with a content exceeding the limit that has been set under the License Compliance Schedule issued under Section 18(1) Environmental Quality Act, 1974.

According to the charge, the operating palm oil mill was found to have released effluent with a required biochemical oxygen concentration (BOD) of 30⁰C exceeding the limit of 20 milligrammes per liter set in the licence for three days.

Sabah Environment Department (JAS) prosecuting officer Jissamy Jimmy handled the prosecution.

Meanwhile, Sabah JAS Director Amirul Aripin advised the public to report any activities of pollution to the environment in the state.

"Reports can be made by calling the toll-free line 1-800-88-2727 which operates 24 hours a day or email aduan_k@doe.gov.my or through the JAS e-aduan portal at https://eaduan.doe.gov.my," he said.