KUALA LUMPUR: The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry initiated prompt action following the discovery of 40 jumbo bags suspected of containing scheduled waste in Kulim, Kedah, yesterday.
Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad today said the Department of Environment (DoE) had coded the affected area.
"We have informed the company involved, the local council, SWCorp and the Kulim District and Land Office.
"We also informed the executive councillors responsible for environment and industry."
He said this after 'Karnival Alam Kita'.
Nazmi said the next step would be to work with the District and Land Office to investigate the matter.
He said his ministry had made a suggestion to the Kedah government through an executive councillor to create a new industrial area.
"This area would use a gated-and- guarded system to improve monitoring and control, which help protect the environment.
"This move comes after the recent approval of a new environmental impact assessment for an industrial area in Kulim by the Kedah DoE.
"The plan is to use a gated-and- guarded approach to maintain strict environmental standards and promote sustainable development."
Yesterday, the DoE seized 40 jumbo bags suspected of containing scheduled waste that had been dumped in an open area in Naga Lilit, Padang Serai.
The bags, with the label of a local company, were found by the department's team about 10am.
State DoE director Sharifah Zakiah Syed Sahab said waste samples were sent to the Chemistry Department to identify it.
She added that if the waste was confirmed to be scheduled waste, action would be taken against the company under the Environmental Quality Act 1974, which carries a mandatory sentence of five years' imprisonment and a fine.