Deputy Natural Resources an d Environment Minister S Sothinathan and Department of Environment (DOE) Director-General Rosnani Ibarahim both denied today that enforcement personnel have acted in ways that could be deemed as corrupt practice.

They called a press conference today at the ministry in Putrajaya to refute recent news reports that DOE officers were under suspicion for failing to act over the alleged failure of two factory operators to dispose of toxic waste.

Among issues raised in the reports was that a lorry said to have been used in transporting the waste had gone 'missing' after it had been seized by enforcement personnel.

A DOE officer lodged a police report, claiming that the act of releasing items related to investigation of environmental offences was "irregular".

However, the New Straits Times reported today that the lorry had not been seized and that Perak DOE director Abu Hassan Mohd Isa had authorised its release from the site.

Sothinathan defended his staff, saying the lorry was not relevant to the evidence being gathered against the operators of the factories where 2,500 drums of scheduled toxic waste are stored.

"The lorry was not seized. We were not concerned with the lorry, but with the chemicals found. We now have prima facie evidence to charge the factory operators for environmental offences," he said.

If found guilty, they are liable to a maximum fine of RM500,000 or to a five-year jail term, or both, under the Environmental Quality Act 1974.

Denials all round

Rosnani said the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) has yet to contact the DOE and that none of the staff have been accused of wrongdoing to date.

"Whether or not they are conducting an investigation is something you must ask the ACA. They have not come to the DOE to meet with any of us. However, we will (give) our full co-operation if there is an investigation," she said.

The ACA is said to be investigating whether or not DOE personnel have acted as they should against those smuggling toxic waste into the country.

Asked to comment on the contents of poison-pen letters sent to his ministry, Sothinathan said the accusations "do not hold water".

The letters are said to contain allegations and descriptions of irregularities involving DOE personnel.

He also said it was not necessary for the DOE to conduct an internal inquiry into the death of Sarawak enforcement officer Rumie Azzan Mahile, since the police are doing so.

Rumie is said to have 'fallen' from the ninth floor of his office building on Sept 17 last year. His death came six months after he was posted to the office, and was classified by state police as a case of 'sudden death'.

Federal police re-opened the file after his family expressed doubts that he had committed suicide, according to The Star .

"We welcome an ACA investigation (into this as well). We will co-operate and have encouraged anyone connected with the matter to co-operate as well," said Sothinathan.

He further clarified that no 'gag order' has been placed on DOE personnel, as reported, and said journalists may contact state directors and ministry officials if they require information.