TOO CLOSE: The factory near Aman Perdana continues to pollute the area, while residents nearby suffer the consequences

State Department of Environment director Che Asmah Ibrahim, in a written response to residents, said:

“The State Department of Environment has issued compounds to factories that have not followed regulations.

“Also, one factory that releases white smoke has fixed three Water Scrubbers to reduce the amount of smoke released.

“We however, would like to stress that the housing developer did not provide a buffer zone, at least 500 metres away from the factories near Aman Perdana.

Without a buffer zone, we cannot overcome this problem and there will always be complaints.”

The first-term MP was anything but satisfied with this response.

“If the director feels that the factories are following regulations now, then I challenge her to stay here for a month.

“I will give her the keys to the house that I was supposed to move into and if she does not feel it’s hazardous to go for evening walks or leave the windows open, then I will not bring this matter up again.

“We understand that the factory is near the housing area and we cannot do anything about that.

“But we want the factory to stop polluting the environment. I urge the State Executive Councillor for Consumer Affairs, Environment and Tourism Elizabeth Wong to visit the neighbourhood herself.

“She is an environmentalist and she would have a different perspective of this issue.”