Tawau: Sessions Court Judge Duncan Sikodol fined an oil palm factory RM10,000 or one month's jail for polluting the environment by discharging effluents into a river which exceeded the density limit fixed under the Environment Quality Regulations. Director of Tong Len Plantation Sdn Bhd (Tong Len Palm Oil Mill), John Lo Vui Fui, admitted to committing the offence at the factory premises at Mile 42, Tawau-Kunak highway, at 2.30pm on June 23 last year.
According to Prosecuting Officer Hashim Awang of the Environment Department, two officers from the department who inspected the premises found the factory's trenches were malfunctioning, resulting in the effluents being discharged directly into the Pang Burung River nearby.
The factory was charged under Section 16(1) of the Environment Quality Act 1974.
In another case, two Indonesians were ordered to pay a total fine of RM4,000 for encroaching into forest reserve.
Asri Sangkala, 22, was fined RM2,500 or four months' jail, while Bakri Kuto, 33, was fined RM1,500 in default two months' jail for committing the offence at Madai Baturong forest reserve in Kunak on Sept 2.
The Forestry enforcement unit, who detained the duo, also seized a crowbar and a machete used by them to clear the area.
In the Lahad Datu Magistrate's Court, 13 men were fined RM1,500 or two months' jail each for committing a similar offence at two forest reserves in Lahad Datu.
Locals Mustamin Goccang, 52, Abdul Muis Laaki, 32, and Akmad Eraji were arrested at Merisuli forest reserve in Mukim Sg Bole on May 19.
Indonesians Yosep Plea, 46, Nicholas Yulu, 21, and Romanus Paulus, 19, Osman Samong, 29, Aloysius Baringkan, 31, Titeng Andus, 42, Minggu Gumba, 28, Sampe Lumbah, 39, Johny Simon, 42, and Palupo Tulong, 39, were detained for committing the offence at Sapagaya forest reserve in Mukim Silam/Bandar on Aug 11.
They were all charged under Section 20(1)©(I) of the Forest Enactment 1968.
