Deadly dumps : Finding ways to make culprits pay
By R.V. Veera
KUALA LUMPUR, Thurs. —
Faced with the new phenomena of illegal dumping of scheduled wastes in the country, the police would have to study all available provisions in the law to determine what action to take against the culprits.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Rahim Nor said today he was not in a position to state what action could be taken against Penang-based Scientific Chemtax Sdn Bhd which was responsible for allegedly dumping 41 drums of deadly potassium cyanide in Pulau Pangkor.
"Crimes of this nature are a new phenomena and the police need to study the case thoroughly.
"Whatever we do, we will have to go by the law, and take appropriate action against those responsible," he said.
Apart from the police, the Department of Environment is also investigating the company under the Environment Quality (Scheduled Wastes) Regulations 1989 and the Environmental Quality Act 1974.
Three cases of illegal dumping of scheduled wastes were recorded in the past two weeks In Pulau Pangkor and Penang.
The two others cases involved the dumping of 28 drums of hydraulic oil by a contractor engaged by Carrier International on Penang island and the dumping of several drums of non-toxic materials at an estate in Seberang Prai.
Rahim said illegal dumping was not unusual in developed countries and it was happening here because of the fast pace of development.
To avoid the negative effects of such dumping, he urged all relevant authorities to look into preventive measures and stringent enforcement of the law.
"In the long run, it could affect the security and livelihood of the people," he told reporters after presenting Hari Raya gifts to 47 policemen and their families and ex-policemen at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital. The visit was part of the 188th Police Day celebrations.
On police investigations into the potassium cyanide dumping in Pulau Pangkor, he said investigations were proceeding along similar lines as those of other Government agencies like the Department of Environment.
Asked on newspaper reports today that police could classify illegal dumping of toxic wastes as culpable homicide not amounting to murder, Rahim said he was not responsible for such a statement.
Yesterday, Penang police chief Deputy Commissioner Datuk Salleh Mat Som told the Press that the State police would classify illegal dumping of scheduled wastes as manslaughter.
"This is because haphazard dumping of chemical wastes in housing estates is likely to cause the deaths of residents and also pollute the environment," he said.
"The penalty for an offence under section 304 of the Penal Code is a maximum prison term of 20 years a fine or both," he added.
Rahim said prosecution would be carried out after the completion of an investigation jointly carried out with the DOE.
Source : The New Straits Times 31 March 1995
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