Minister: Mandatory jail sentence for environmental crimes

Perpetrators of environmental crimes will face a mandatory jail sentence of not exceeding five years, said Environment and Water Minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.

Mandatory jail time was among the three significant amendments to the Environmental Quality Act 1974 passed at the Dewan Rakyat, which Tuan Ibrahim (above) listed on his Facebook page today.

He hoped that harsher punishment would prevent the repeat or perpetuation of environmental crimes in the country.

An increase in the minimum compound value of RM2,000 to not more than 50 percent of the maximum penalty amount was another significant amendment that he listed.

The amendments also established a minimum penalty of not less than RM5,000 and a maximum penalty of RM10 million.

After the passing of the amendments on Oct 5, Tuan Ibrahim explained that harsher penalties were required because the total cost incurred from the crime was much higher than the penalty imposed in the past.

“For example, more than RM6 million was needed (to clean up) pollution at Sungai Kim Kim in Johor.

“In Selangor, with the shutting down of the (water treatment) plant, the cost of river treatment and repairs alone, not including the cost of delivering water via tankers to consumers, was much higher,” he said.

At least 28 sections in the Act were amended on Oct 5.

Malaysia was recently appointed as chair of the Asean Working Group on Climate Change (AWGCC) 2022-2025, and the new amendments to the Act also defined disposal of waste and open burning.

Last year, the Department of Environment (DOE) reported 418 open burning cases during a dry spell in the first 22 days of July.

Dewan Rakyat passes amendments to Environmental Quality Act 1974

Environmental Quality (Amendment) Bill tabled in Dewan Rakyat

Selangor considers declaring climate emergency

Penang hopes Tuan Ibrahim can solve Kedah-Penang water issue