If over 90% of chemical factory operators have committed offences under the Environment Qualiy Act, we have every reason to be concerned, says JD Lovrenciear.
According to Johor state Health, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman, Mohd Khuzzan Abu Bakar, almost 90% of the chemical factories in Pasir Gudang are flouting the act.
He said out of the 90 factories inspected by the authorities, 81 were found to have committed at least one offence under the act.
There are at least 252 chemical factories in Pasir Gudang.
Malaysians have every reason to be worried. If over 90% of chemical factory operators are not complying with laws relating to environmental care and human safety, it should make us wonder how other manufacturers in other industries like food and drinks are failing us?
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If chemical operators are daring enough to not comply with laws and regulations and can get away so easily, do we citizens not have to worry about our future health and wellbeing especially when we are heavy consumers of manufactured and processed food and drinks?
It is not too far-fetched to wonder whether our some of our farming and plantation operators too have thrown compliance to the wind to reap quick returns.
Even some of the houses people struggle to buy and own may not be free from substandard quality. This would be an alarming prospect for buyers worried about their safety in time to come.
Consumer rights groups have copious examples of how Malaysians have been shortchanged.
This dangerous and brazen disregard for standard operating procedures and standards – obviously rampant in Malaysia – could rob many citizens of a decent quality of life.
And we call this development? Who has failed us and how?
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
