FOUR company directors and a workshop manager have been charged in the Selayang Sessions Court, near Kuala Lumpur today in connection with the Sungai Gong pollution, the Bernama news agency reported.
The five chargees include four brothers – Yip Kok Wai, 53; Yip Kok Mun, 58; Yip Kok Kuin, 70; and Yip Kok Wong, 60 – who are the board of directors of Yip Chee Seng & Sons Sdn Bhd, and Ho Voon Leong, 59, who is the manager of the company’s workshop.
They were charged under Section 430 of the Penal Code with committing mischief by causing hazardous waste from a workshop belonging the company to flow into Sungai Gong, hence causing an unsafe water condition for human consumption.
The pollution of Sungai Gong led to a massive water supply disruption in the Klang Valley and Selangor recently and affected some five million people.
According to the report, all five pleaded not guilty to the charges made against them before judge Syafeera Mohd Said.
They were charged with committing the act at a workshop in Kg Sungai Dua, Rawang, Selangor between last Sept 2 and 3.
They may face an imprisonment for up to 30 years, fine or both, if found guilty.
The five men were also jointly charged with emitting environmentally hazardous matter from the workshop into a waterway, which then flowed into Sungai Gong, without a licence at the same place and time.
The charge was made under Section 25 (1) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 which provides a maximum fine of RM100,000, or imprisonment for up to five years, or both, if found guilty.
Judge Syafeera did not grant bail for the five and set Oct 27 for mention. – Sept 15, 2020
